Four authoritative institutions Tuesday declared in a joint news briefing at Beijing Diaoyutai that China has succeeded in developing its first 32-bit CPU "Fangzhou-1" which is now available for batch production.

CPU, i.e., central processing unit, is the heart of all the information equipment as well as the foundation of information industry. A nail-sized CPU involves multiple technology of microelectronics and computer, therefore is named the pearl on the IT crown.

"Fangzhou" is the brand name of the CPU chips developed by China Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). "Fangzhou-1" is the first child of the "Fangzhou" family, a highly integrated CPU chip designed for wide-band network application. It combined the core of a 32-bit "Fangzhou" RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) microprocessor and a large number of equipment on the chip. It can be used in the products of network computers, wide-band intellective terminals, set top boxes (STB), digital televisions, switchboards, routes and industrial controlling.

"Fangzhou-1" passed appraisal by the appraisal committee three days ago which was composed of 20 experts including Song Jian and Zhu Gaofeng, academicians of Chinese Academy of Engineering. The committee reached the consensus that "Fangzhou-1" developed by SMIC has its own systematic structure. China possesses the independent intellectual property right of the CPU. "Fangzhou-1" is China's first 0.25-micron, 32-bit CPU, which takes its place in the front ranks of China and the world in RISC CPU field.

Experts praise the success of "Fangzhou-1" as one of historical significance in China's microelectronics and computer field that marks the productionization of China's own CPU products with independent IP. It plays an important role in protecting China's information security and strengthening the core competitiveness and profits of China's information industry.

SMIC owes its founding to Dr. Li Delei, a returned overseas student. So far, Dr. Li has got a sci-tech elite force of over 80 in his company which aims to become the provider of CPU, DSP and IP-related products enjoying independent intellectual property right in China in the 21st Century. The Company bases itself on domestic market and a full play of advantages to China. Solutions are provided for China's CPU. A complete industrial chain covering CPU supply, operation, software and manufacture of board products and equipment with other counterparts along with Linux technology is to be developed to raise the core competitiveness and profits of the whole industrial chain and promote the progress and development of China's IT industry.

Liu Zhihua, deputy mayor of Beijing, director of the Management Commission of Zhongguancun Sci-Tech Park and one of the sponsors put in charge hosted the briefing. Xu Guanhua, minister of Science and Technology, Qu Weizhi, vice minister of Information Industry and Zhu Gaofeng, vice president of Chinese Academy of Engineering, also as sponsors gave speeches at the news briefing.

(People’s Daily 07/11/2001)