Hong Kong to establish a microelectronics R&D institute

Lawmakers say they want the centre to foster collaboration among universities, researchers and industry – especially in the area of 'third-generation' semiconductors for new energy vehicles and renewable energy solutions. The facility will help start-ups and SMES to trial production lines before launch.

The establishment of the institute is indicative of Hong Kong's desire to carve out a role for itself in the global chip space – a sector in which it competes with aggressive regional neighbours such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. On the flip side is the fact that Hong Kong – under the custodianship of China – could be impacted by future US sanctions.