By Kate Yuan

(JW Insights) Oct 12 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed to promote the development of the whole IC industrial chain during an inspection tour in eastern China's Zhejiang Province from October 7-9, Xinhua reported.

He first came to Hikvision (海康威视), China’s video surveillance equipment giant, and observed demonstrations on Internet of Things perception, artificial intelligence (AI), big data technology, and digital empowerment. He urged efforts to break through in key core technologies, leverage big enterprises, and support small and medium-sized firms.

At Semitronix (广立微), China’s leading EDA software supplier, Li stressed that efforts must be made to ensure scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, bolster the whole industrial chain, and increase technology independence.

Founded in 2003, Hangzhou-headquartered Semitronix went public on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on August 5, 2022. It is one of three listed EDA companies in China.

While presiding over a symposium during his inspection tour, Li also said it is imperative to push forward the innovation and breakthrough of digital technologies, as the digital economy keeps reshaping the production and lifestyle of human beings. He highlighted efforts to nurture cutting-edge sectors such as big data, computing, and next-generation AI.

It is imperative to ride the wave of digital transformation, promote new industrialization, especially in the manufacturing sector and in AI applications, he added, according to the Xinhua report.