A wave of key personnel changes is sweeping through China’s semiconductor industry. Major Chinese firms have announced a series of resignations among core executives, drawing attention to the shifting leadership in the country’s tech sector.
According to industry sources on the 9th, Li Hong, director and president of CR Micro, recently stepped down. Last month, former chairman Chen Xiaojun also retired, with He Xiaolong, previously a vice president, taking over as chairman.
Specialized semiconductor packaging firms ChipPack Technology and Huaguang Advanced Materials have also undergone leadership reshuffles. At ChipPack Technology, chief technology officer Li Bingchuan departed, while Huaguang Advanced Materials’ Fan Zhonghua handed over technical leadership roles to Tang Weigang, head of the research institute, and Huang Shisheng, deputy head.
These personnel changes are seen as part of China’s efforts to strengthen domestic expertise as foreign talent becomes increasingly difficult to recruit amid tightened U.S. semiconductor export controls.
Since last year, the U.S. has escalated restrictions on semiconductor exports to China, blocking sales of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines and limiting high-performance AI chip exports from companies like Nvidia, Intel, and AMD.
In response, China appears to be minimizing supply chain disruptions and pushing for technological self-sufficiency by reorganizing its core technical leadership.
However, demand for high-skilled talent across China’s semiconductor supply chain—from design to manufacturing, packaging, and testing—continues to grow, while the imbalance between supply and demand worsens. McKinsey & Company projects China will need approximately 6 million AI specialists by 2030, but with only 2 million expected to be available, leaving a critical shortage of 4 million trained professionals.
An industry insider noted, “As U.S. tech containment persists, Chinese semiconductor firms are reinforcing internal technical leadership to overcome difficulties in recruiting foreign talent. A ‘talent reset’ strategy for technological independence is now in full swing.”
