Key Takeaways

• Huawei’s Ascend 910C AI chip still uses parts from TSMC, Samsung, and SK Hynix.
• China must buy foreign components despite stockpiles and big investments.
• This hybrid design delays the impact of US sanctions.
• True chip independence for China is still years away.

Why Ascend 910C Still Relies on Foreign Parts

Huawei designed the Ascend 910C as a rival to Nvidia’s top AI chips. However, it still depends on key parts made abroad. While China stocks up on components, it cannot make every part at home. As a result, the Ascend 910C uses chips and materials from TSMC, Samsung, and SK Hynix. This mix of local design and foreign parts helps Huawei keep making AI chips despite tough US trade rules.

China’s plan is clear. It wants to build all its own semiconductors. Yet, the technology to make advanced AI chips is still beyond reach. Meanwhile, companies like TSMC lead the world in production. Thus, Huawei must buy wafers and memory from overseas. Although this approach helps now, it also highlights a big gap in China’s chip industry.

How Ascend 910C Buys Time Amid Sanctions

The US has placed strict limits on China’s access to advanced chip tech. In response, Huawei created the Ascend 910C with a split approach. It designs the chip in-house but outsources its key pieces. For example, TSMC makes the chip wafers. Samsung and SK Hynix supply high-speed memory. This setup lets Huawei keep shipping AI processors to customers.

Furthermore, this hybrid design gives Huawei breathing room. It can still serve data centers and cloud firms that need fast AI chips. At the same time, Huawei pushes its own foundries to catch up. However, building a fully local supply chain takes time. In fact, experts say it could take five to ten years before China reaches self-reliance in high-end semiconductors.

Road to Self-Sufficiency Remains Long

China’s leaders have poured billions into their chip industry. They created “national champions” and gave them big loans. They also set up research labs and training programs. Yet, mastering extreme ultraviolet lithography and other core tools remains tough. These machines come mostly from the Netherlands and Japan. Even if China could build them, it would face major trade barriers.

Consequently, Huawei and its peers keep falling back on foreign partners. The Ascend 910C is proof. It shows that China can design world-class chips but still needs outside help to build them. Over time, China will likely narrow the gap. Nevertheless, catching up to industry leaders like TSMC will not happen overnight.

Impact on the Global Chip Market

The Ascend 910C demonstrates both China’s progress and its limits. On one hand, it rivals Nvidia’s AI processors in many benchmarks. On the other hand, it shines a light on China’s weak links. Global chip makers know this. They see China as a huge market but also as a potential competitor. Therefore, they monitor Huawei’s moves closely.

Meanwhile, US allies are watching the chip race too. They worry about overreliance on any single supplier. As a result, they push for more “trusted” sources in the supply chain. This dynamic adds pressure on China to accelerate its own chip efforts. Yet, without outside tech, its journey will be slow.

What’s Next for Ascend 910C and Beyond

Looking ahead, Huawei will keep refining the Ascend 910C design. It will also invest in new foundry tech. Over time, it aims to replace foreign memory and wafers with homegrown ones. Moreover, China plans to build more chip fabs in the next decade. This push could reshape the global semiconductor map.

However, the road is bumpy. New US sanctions could target more suppliers. Additionally, building complex fabs requires skilled engineers and rare materials. Both remain in short supply in China. Therefore, only gradual progress is likely. In the meantime, the Ascend 910C stands as a smart stopgap.

Conclusion

The Ascend 910C chip shows how China manages under tight US rules. By blending in-house design with foreign parts, Huawei keeps its AI plans alive. Yet, this mix also reveals a key weakness in China’s chip ambitions. True independence in semiconductor production is still years away. As the global chip race heats up, Huawei and China will face new hurdles. Ultimately, their success will depend on closing the technology gap and securing reliable sources for every link in the chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Ascend 910C different from other AI chips?

The Ascend 910C uses a mix of Chinese design and foreign-made components. This hybrid setup helps Huawei work around US trade limits while still achieving top AI performance.

Why can’t China fully produce the Ascend 910C at home?

China lacks some key tools and materials needed for advanced chip manufacturing. These come mostly from foreign suppliers in Taiwan, South Korea, and elsewhere.

How long will it take for China to become chip independent?

Experts estimate China needs at least five to ten years to reach self-sufficiency in high-end semiconductors. Success depends on building fabs, training engineers, and securing rare materials.

Will US sanctions affect future versions of the Ascend 910C?

Possibly. Stricter rules could limit Huawei’s access to vital tools and supplies. In turn, Huawei might tweak its designs or seek new partners to keep production going.