M&A deals to energize IC makers

Overseas mergers and acquisitions will strengthen China's integrated circuit sector in the next five years, a top official said on Thursday.

Technologies and patents obtained through M&As are helping local vendors to catch up with international leaders and will be the cornerstone for China-based innovation in the future, said Diao Shijing, director of the electronic information bureau at the Ministry of Industry and information technology.

ICs, or chipsets, are semi-conductor wafers used in smartphones, airplanes and many other electronic machines.