Hong Kong Embraces RISC-V to Navigate Semiconductor Landscape
In a bid to navigate the complexities of the global semiconductor landscape amidst escalating US chip restrictions, Hong Kong is placing its bets on the RISC-V open-source chip architecture. This move not only aims to drive innovation but also secure a strong foothold in the ever-evolving tech industry. The city is set to host the International Young Scientist Forum on Artificial Intelligence, where discussions on research in AI and open-source technology, particularly RISC-V, will take center stage.
RISC-V, which stands for the fifth generation of the Reduced Instruction Set Computer, represents a design philosophy that simplifies architectures for central processing units (CPUs). Unlike its counterparts like Intel’s x86 and Arm’s proprietary RISC-inspired architecture, RISC-V is an open-source project, making it freely accessible for anyone to use and modify. This unique feature has garnered attention and interest, especially in mainland China, where efforts are being made to reduce reliance on foreign proprietary technology.
Initially developed in 2010 by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, RISC-V is now overseen by RISC-V International, a non-profit organization based in Zurich. Despite not being as widely utilized as x86 or Arm, RISC-V has been rapidly gaining momentum due to its open-source code base, attracting the attention of government entities and businesses alike. This is particularly significant in the current tech landscape, where the US-China tech war has intensified, prompting a shift towards more self-reliant and open-source technologies.
Hong Kong’s Strategic Move Towards RISC-V
In his 2025 budget address, Finance Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted Hong Kong’s strategic focus on promoting research in AI and open-source technology, with a specific emphasis on RISC-V. This forward-looking approach underscores the city’s commitment to fostering innovation and staying ahead of the curve in the semiconductor industry. By embracing RISC-V, Hong Kong aims to position itself as a key player in the global tech arena, setting the stage for future advancements and collaborations in the field of open-source technology.
One of the key advantages of RISC-V lies in its open-source nature, which allows for greater flexibility and customization compared to proprietary architectures. This flexibility has fueled interest in RISC-V among researchers, developers, and tech enthusiasts worldwide, paving the way for a more collaborative and inclusive approach to semiconductor design and development. As Hong Kong aligns itself with this cutting-edge technology, it opens up new possibilities for local innovation and collaboration, driving the city towards a more dynamic and adaptive tech ecosystem.
China’s Growing Embrace of RISC-V
China’s embrace of RISC-V is evident in the recent announcement from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) about its RISC-V-based XiangShan CPU. This development marks a significant milestone in China’s efforts to reduce reliance on foreign technology and establish a more self-sufficient semiconductor ecosystem. By leveraging RISC-V, Chinese researchers and businesses are not only diversifying their technological capabilities but also contributing to the global open-source community.
The adaptation of XiangShan to support DeepSeek-R1, a popular open-source reasoning large language model, further demonstrates the potential of RISC-V to drive innovation and collaboration in the AI and semiconductor space. As China continues to invest in RISC-V and explore its applications in various domains, the global tech landscape is poised for a paradigm shift towards more open, accessible, and collaborative technologies. Hong Kong’s strategic alignment with RISC-V reflects a broader trend towards open-source innovation, setting the stage for a more interconnected and inclusive future in the tech industry.
