The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) announced major RISC-V achievements at a sub-forum during the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) on Thursday, highlighting a new path for open-source chip industrial application.
RISC-V is an open-source, flexible and efficient processor architecture that has gained global attention.
Two landmark achievements were introduced at the forum. Xiangshan, an open-source high-performance RISC-V processor system, has set a new international record and includes the world's first open-source network-on-chip IP.
"The Xiangshan processor core now ranks among the global top tier in performance. Several companies are already developing actual chips based on it. Real market demand, high-level expertise, and high quality are the core elements for open-source chip projects to transition from the lab to industrial deployment," said Bao Yungang, a researcher at the Institute of Computing Technology, CAS.
While Ruyi, a native RISC-V operating system, became the first to support the RVA23 high-performance international standard.
Together, Xiangshan and Ruyi have formed two RISC-V open-source communities led by China.
Currently scientific research teams in China have constructed a full-chain RISC-V development system, strengthening China’s voice in shaping global open-source technology standards.
The 2026 ZGC Forum, running in Beijing through Sunday, is focused on the theme of "Full Integration Between Technological and Industrial Innovation". Since its founding in 2007, this forum has become a major international event for advancing science and technology innovation.
China unveils major RISC-V achievements, opens new path for open-source chip industry
The 2026 annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) concluded in south China's island province of Hainan on Friday, with international attendees recognizing the abundant new opportunities arising from China's strategic development plans and the emergence of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
The four-day BFA conference, themed "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation", wrapped up in the coastal town of Boao on Friday after gathering around 2,000 representatives from over 60 countries and regions around the world.
Discussions centered prominently on China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a key blueprint outlining the country's policy priorities for the coming years, and the opportunities arising from the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP)'s island-wide special customs operations, a measure which took affect last December, making it the largest free trade port in the world by area.
International attendees at the Boao forum expressed strong confidence in China's long-term investment potential and highlighted how the goals set out in the 15th Five-Year Plan offer considerable opportunities for businesses to tap into, particularly as China pushes for green and sustainable development.
"The 15th Five-Year Plan provides a bit of visibility over what the priorities are for companies. For example, that the new energy sector is prioritized [within the] 15th Five-Year Plan means that there will be a lot of private sector involvement, there will be a lot of capital flowing. We are very committed to this market," said Denis Depoux, global managing director at the Munich-based consultancy firm Roland Berger.
"We believe in desalination, that it is very important to China's water security and we believe very important [as] part of the 15th Five-Year Plan -- there was a clear emphasis in desalination. We as ACWA have a very clear ambition to deliver 30 billion [U.S. dollars] minimum investment by 2030 and we could be more," said Mohammad A. Abunayyan, chairman of Saudi ACWA Power, a power generation and water desalination company.
The forum coincided with the 100-day milestone of Hainan FTP beginning its island-wide special customs operations. So far, Hainan has registered a total of 737 new foreign-invested enterprises, representing a year-on-year increase of 33.5 percent.
Global guests, including experienced officials, also see a number of practical trade and investment advantages afforded by the expanded Hainan FTP.
"We can export 'made-in-Italy' products into Hainan tax free. Then they can be consumed within the island. So if you add an additional 30 percent of value locally, then those goods can also be exported to the rest of the Chinese mainland, also tax free. This [is an] opportunity also for the Europeans, for Italian companies," said Michele Geraci, former Undersecretary of State of Italian Ministry of Economic Development.
"I always advise British companies that are in the retail market or that are selling their goods or services to consumers, that if they want to be successful globally, they cannot avoid China," said Peter Burnett, chief executive of China-Britain Business Council.
"This year we'll be looking at APEC plans for connectivity and what needs to be done during this coming phase. I think everyone looks at the price of electricity, uncertainty about fuel prices. Having solar panels enables you to have alternative sources of energy. And so that's a great opportunity for more trade between China and the rest of the region," said Eduardo Pedrosa, executive director of the APEC Secretariat.
Int'l attendees at Boao forum hail opportunities afforded by China's development, Hainan FTP
