Nation in big semiconductor push

At least 46 big-budget semiconductor projects are scheduled to be built in China within two to three years, as part of the nation's broader push to reduce reliance on foreign chip manufacturing and design techniques, according to data compiled from local governments' key 2018 project plans.

The move comes as China is expediting its research and development of core chip technologies, narrowing the gap between its integrated circuit industry and those of the world's leading nations in this field.

To realize the goal, a number of provinces and municipalities are seeking to attract semiconductor companies to build factories and R&D centers.