Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) in Pingshan District.

Introduction

Pingshan is positioned as a key cluster for silicon-based semiconductors in Shenzhen. In 2018, it was designated a “National New Industrialization Demonstration Base (Electronic Information)” by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The district’s semiconductor and integrated circuit (IC) cluster has recorded double-digit growth for five consecutive years, with output rising 23% year on year in 2025.

Pingshan is now home to more than 200 high-quality enterprises across the supply chain, including 75 above designated size, six listed companies, 13 national-level specialized and innovative “little giant” enterprises, and 44 specialized and innovative SMEs. These companies span key segments such as equipment, design, manufacturing, packaging and testing, and applications. 

The district has developed an industrial framework comprising two major chip manufacturing bases — SMIC and Pensun; four segments — packaging and testing, equipment and core components, optoelectronic chips, and chip design; six major platforms, including the Center for Micro and Nano Fabrication at Shenzhen Technology University; and a dedicated policy package.

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Pingshan will use major projects to develop three pillars: silicon-based manufacturing, optical information and extended IC processes. It will also pursue early development in quantum technology and other emerging fields, support public service platforms in fostering an open, shared innovation ecosystem, and promote high-quality growth in the chip industry. These efforts will contribute to Shenzhen’s goal of becoming a leading hub for China’s IC industry.

Research

Thanks to Shenzhen Technology University’s positioning in cultivating outstanding engineers, Pingshan has been promoting close cooperation between the university and enterprises, such as SMIC, O-Net and Microgate, for in-depth integration of industry, academia and research. In 2021, the university, in cooperation with SMIC and other enterprises, jointly established the first Integrated Circuit School (now the College of Integrated Circuits and Optoelectronic Chips) in the GBA and is committed to cultivating high-end semiconductor and IC talents. 

In 2022, the college recruited Prof. Ning Cunzheng, a leading expert in the global field of nano-lasers and semiconductor devices, as its first dean. Ning has led his teams to conduct a number of research projects. In chip lasers and silicon-based optoelectronics integration, Ning’s on-chip semiconductor nano-lasers have reached the international top level; in radio frequency chips, he has cooperated with many enterprises to carry out research on SAW/BAW chips.

Shenzhen Technology University’s College of Integrated Circuits and Optoelectronic Chips. Photo by Sun Yuchen

Supportive polices 

Pingshan has taken the lead in introducing the city’s first policy on IC (third-generation semiconductors) in 2018, and is accelerating revising the IC industry funding measures in accordance with the city’s policy guidance. More precise and tailored policies for Pingshan will help guide the integration and development of the IC clusters.

In 2019, Pingshan launched the 500-million-yuan AVIC Pingshan IC industry special fund. As of the end of 2022, this Pingshan Government-led fund had participated in 12 sub-funds, managing a total of 5.45 billion yuan. In 2022, all types of industrial funds reached 1.8 billion yuan.

Pingshan is continuously offering high-quality industrial spaces, especially in the north Biling and north Longtian areas. In the next three years, 4 square kilometers of industrial land will be supplied. The district has also been building high-rise vertical factories, having offered 1.05-million-square-meter high-quality industrial spaces in 2022. In 2023, the district is building a total of 2 million square meters of customized high-quality plants.

Pingshan has successively been establishing public technical service platforms. The National IC Design Shenzhen Industrial Center’s Pingshan Branch Park was inaugurated in 2019, providing public services for chip design enterprises. IngDan Innovation Space, Sino-Europe Innovation Center and other incubation bases for IC enterprises have also been put into use.

Industrial support services have been improved. Pingshan Central Park’s sewage resource project and SMIC’s 12-inch fab project’s wastewater treatment have been completed. The district is planning its new IC base sewage resource demonstration project for IC enterprises’ wastewater treatment. Shenzhen Eastern Eco-Industrial Park’s hazardous waste transshipment center was put into operation in August 2022, which ensures hazardous wastes to be disposed of in a safe and timely manner. Relying on the Shenzhen Pingshan Comprehensive Bonded Zone, the construction of the IC and electronic component distribution center will be accelerated.

Industry communication and exchanges have continued to deepen. In 2022, the Shenzhen Pingshan semiconductor industry innovation and development high-end seminar, the National Industrial and Information Technology Technical Skills Competition finals, the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence China Summit and the 2022 China (Shenzhen) IC Summit were successfully held in Pingshan.