First-of-its-kind Chinese AI chip debuts in Shanghai

China”s first near-memory computing 3D AI chip was released on July 13 by Chinese artificial intelligence chip start-up Dongfang Suanxin in Shanghai, marking the official launch of China’s independently developed computing chips.

The unveiling of the chip, formally known as DF1000, comes when computing power has become a critical pillar of national competitiveness in the digital era and a key driver of industrial upgrading. As global technological competition intensifies and external supply chain constraints continue to tighten, significant challenges in areas such as high-end AI computing chips and advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes have begun to appear, industrial experts said.

“The launch of the chip was built on the solid foundation of our country’s integrated industrial value chain,” Wei Shaojun, chairman and CEO of Dongfang Suanxin, said during a ceremony held on Monday.

“As the nation’s first software-defined 3D AI chip powered by near-memory computing technology, its launch marks an important step toward overcoming one of the key bottlenecks in high-end computing chips, namely their dependence on advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes,” Wei added.

According to Wei, the technology behind the chip dates back more than two decades. The company has been committed to developing original technologies, building an independent and resilient industrial chain, and establishing a comprehensive, self-sufficient software ecosystem.

Founded in 2024, Dongfang Suanxin specializes in integrated circuit design.

Li Hui, deputy head of Pudong New Area, said the technological breakthrough in chips underscores the district’s restless efforts in creating a comprehensive and complete industry, offering innovative platforms at various levels, and building a technological innovation ecosystem.

“Pudong New Area’s integrated circuit industry expanded by about 23 percent year-on-year in 2025, with its total industrial output exceeding 360 billion yuan ($53.11 billion). The district accounted for about one-fifth of China’s integrated circuit industry and roughly three-quarters of Shanghai’s total,” Li said.

“Major technological breakthroughs in the chip sector are providing new momentum for the development of Pudong’s 3D integrated circuit industrial cluster,” Li added.

Wei said the product represents only the beginning of the company’s journey. Going forward, the company will follow a strategy of “mass-producing one generation, developing the next, and researching future generations”.

“We will remain committed to technological leadership, an open ecosystem and sustained long-term investment,” Wei added.

The CEO also expressed his willingness to work together with all parties in the complete industrial chain to build “a self-controlled, secure, and efficient computing power industry ecosystem”.

“As a company originating from and growing in Shanghai, Dongfang Suanxin will continue to leverage Shanghai’s strengths in the industry, support the nation’s strategies, and embrace the global market, so as to serve the global AI industry with Chinese chips and support China’s computing power,” Wei said.

As one of Shanghai’s three leading industries, the integrated circuit sector has developed rapidly in recent years, with the city building an innovation ecosystem supported by a complete industrial chain, advanced technologies, a strong talent base, and a group of leading enterprises.

In the first eleven months of 2025, the revenue generated from Shanghai’s integrated circuit industry totaled 391.2 billion yuan, up 23.72 percent year-on-year. The industry’s scale is projected to exceed 460 billion yuan in 2025, expanding 24 percent from a year earlier and more than doubling over the past five years, according to Shanghai Securities News, citing sources from the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Informatization.

The rapid growth of Shanghai’s innovation ecosystem is also reflected in that it is home to more than 1,200 integrated circuit companies, about 40 percent of China’s industry talent, and nearly half of the sector’s innovation resources.

Attending the upcoming WAIC for the first time, Dongfang Suanxin planned to showcase its full product lineup, from chips to systems, Wei said during an interview earlier in July.

“Our current chips focus on the training level, while next-generation products are expected to tape out by the end of this year, with performance reaching the level of mainstream international peers,” Wei said.