China Redefines Semiconductor to Claim Leadership in Chipmaking
China has revised its legal definition of semiconductors, expanding it to include photonic and quantum chips. This change, effective October 15, 2026, is part of a broader strategy to assert leadership in global chip design. The revision was adopted by China's State Council and aims to bring photonic and quantum chips under the same protection regime as traditional semiconductor designs. This legislative move is seen as a strategic posture to enhance China's position in the competitive field of chip design, particularly as the U.S. and China continue to vie for dominance in artificial intelligence technologies. 
