HK Media’s Jiangsu Tour: From Jiangsu to the World - Yangjie Technology Expands Global Semiconductor Footprint

The Hong Kong media delegation visited Yangjie Electronic Technology Corporation, a power semiconductor company in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, on March 25. The corporation executives shared their entrepreneurial journey — from humble beginnings in a café to 25 years of gradually developing success. Amid a complex international landscape, the executives emphasized that the corporation is simultaneously cultivating its domestic industrial chain while steadily advancing its global expansion to build worldwide trust in Chinese power semiconductors.

Yangjie Electronic Technology Corporation, Photo by Bastille Post

An Afternoon of Beginnings: 11 People, 1 Million RMB, One Small Café

One afternoon in 2000, inside a small café in Yangzhou, 11 people pooled together 1 million RMB to start a semiconductor corporation. Their goal was simple: to become a prominent corporation in Yangzhou — hence the name "Yangjie" (meaning "Outstanding in Yangzhou" in Chinese) was determined. Twenty-five years later, not a single one of the 11 founding members has left. The corporation has since grown into a publicly listed enterprise with over 8,000 employees and 15 billion RMB in assets. Its market capitalization once reached 50 billion RMB. "We started with trading, then moved to manufacturing, and then to R&D," an executive said. "Every step has followed the direction of national industrial upgrading."

One afternoon in 2000, inside a small café in Yangzhou, 11 people pooled together 1 million RMB to start a semiconductor corporation. Photo by Bastille Post

Its Vietnam Factory Driven by Reality: "Chinese Technology Going Global"

The latest step is the establishment of a factory in Vietnam. An executive explained that as the international trade environment continues to tighten, the model of relying solely on domestic production and exports is becoming increasingly vulnerable to fluctuations of reality, making corporations need to establish physical production capacity overseas to serve local customers and diversify supply risks across different markets. The corporation has purchased 120 acres of land in Vietnam and raised funds through a GDR issuance on the Swiss Stock Exchange, attracting a large number of Hong Kong investors during the roadshow. He emphasized that the Vietnam factory is not simply relocating low-end processes, but rather replicating the entire domestic technology chain overseas. The fab plant project was officially launched on the day of the interview, marking "a real step for China's power semiconductor technology to go global."

Mr. Fan Fengbin, the deputy general manager of Yangjie Technology, is giving the corporation's introduction to the Hong Kong media delegation. Photo by Bastille Post

More Locations, Better Service for China and the World

In regard to geopolitical risks, an executive cited a recent merger and acquisition saga in the international semiconductor industry as a cautionary example, noting that if a corporation concentrates all its core assets, patents, or production lines in a single country, it will struggle to adjust once the external environment shifts dramatically. He said that when considering overseas acquisitions, Yangjie Technology tries to avoid placing heavy assets or core patents primarily abroad, while retaining the original management teams to ensure stable operations. "What we're doing now is distributing business support across different regions, ensuring no single location becomes the sole lifeline," he explained. "This way, we can better serve domestic customers and also better handle international orders." He described the strategy not as "escaping" any particular market, but rather as a more stable approach to securing Chinese corporations' position in the global industrial chain.

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Making the World Trust Chinese Power Semiconductors

For most people, the term "power semiconductors" is unfamiliar. A senior technical executive at Yangjie Technology offered a simple explanation: they are the "heart" of electronic products, responsible for controlling the current and voltage in every electrical appliance. "From small Bluetooth headsets to large high-speed trains — wherever electricity is used, our products are used," he pointed out.

Mr. Fan Fengbin, the deputy general manager of Yangjie Technology, Photo by Bastille Post

He noted that in the field of third-generation semiconductor silicon carbide, Chinese companies are not far behind international levels and have room to catch up quickly. Currently, the main bottlenecks lie in the self-sufficiency of equipment and some high-end materials. He stated that the company will continue to focus on developing its core power semiconductor business, "hoping to make the world trust Chinese power semiconductors and contribute more to our hometown and our country."

Mr. Fan Fengbin, the deputy general manager of Yangjie Technology, is giving the corporation's introduction to the Hong Kong media delegation. Photo by Bastille Post

Yangjie Electronic Technology Corporation, Photo by Bastille Post

The Hong Kong media delegation visited the CRRC Qishuyan Locomotive & Rolling Stock Technology Research Institute (CRRC Qishuyan Institute for short) on March 27. Mr. Jin Guozhong, the rotating Deputy General Manager and Chief Engineer of the institute, introduced the corporation's ongoing collaboration with MTR Corporation. He noted that over the past decade, China has led the development of more than 600 international standards for railway transportation. Mr. Jin also expressed hope that Hong Kong would serve as a demonstration window for the Mainland's intelligent rail technology applications.

Mr. Jin Guozhong, the rotating Deputy General Manager and Chief Engineer of the institute, Photo by Bastille Post

Cooperation with MTR Covers Components and Standards Training

Founded in 1959, the CRRC Qishuyan Institute is CRRC's first mixed-ownership reform corporation in the manufacturing sector, focusing on two core technology areas: industrial transmission and materials technology. Mr. Jin Guozhong explained that the corporation currently supplies MTR with key components such as gear transmission systems, braking systems, and rail welding equipment, etc. It also assists in conducting professional personnel training, like standard implementation training and non-destructive testing training, etc.

The shear-type elastic wheel enhances the stability and shock absorption performance of rail transit through its specialized structural design. Photo by Bastille Post

China Leads One-Third of Global Rail Standards

Mr. Jin noted that the power to set rail transit standards is gradually shifting to China. Over the past decade, he said, China has led the development and revision of more than 600 rail transit-related standards within international organizations, such as ISO, IEC, and UIC — accounting for approximately one-third of the global total during this period. "Applying these standards in Hong Kong will certainly provide a strong guarantee for the safe operation of MTR trains," Mr. Jin said. "Moreover, it will also play an important supporting role in the standardization and internationalization of Hong Kong's local MTR products."

The 360-ton mining dump truck's electric wheel assembly delivers powerful driving and braking capabilities, with performance indicators reaching internationally advanced levels. Photo by Bastille Post

Hong Kong's Passenger Flow Holds Global Demonstration Value

Regarding further cooperation with Hong Kong, Mr. Jin stated that MTR, which handles one of the world's highest passenger flows and has accumulated extensive operational experience, is an ideal testing ground for promoting intelligent technologies from the Mainland. He noted that, as AI applications in passenger flow management, power grid, as well as line intelligent operation and maintenance continue to improve, "After good demonstration applications are established in Hong Kong, we can provide a significant standard reference for metro operations worldwide."

The simulation demonstration of intelligent driving and vehicle control systems is expected to see further application in high-traffic metro networks, such as Hong Kong's, in the future. Photo by Bastille Post

800 Robots Take Over 500 Grueling Jobs, Paving Way for High-Tech Positions

Mr. Liu Yunqing, the Chief Technical Expert of the institute, said that the institute has deployed around 800 robots across more than 100 production lines, replacing over 500 repetitive and grueling jobs — including deburring, heavy lifting, and grinding. These tasks previously required workers to repeat hundreds of motions daily while working in dusty conditions with protective masks for long hours. Meanwhile, the introduction of robots has also created more technically advanced new positions in installation, debugging, and maintenance. "These debugging staff work with computers all day. Their jobs are very easy, and their salaries are relatively high," Mr. Liu said. He noted that the average annual income of the corporation's staff has exceeded 160,000 RMB.

Industrial robotic arms perform precision machining operations on automated production lines, effectively replacing traditional high-intensity manual labor. Photo by Bastille Post

Robots, working in conjunction with a vision recognition system, enable precise parts gripping and automated assembly. Photo by Bastille Post

Craftsmanship: Perfecting Every Single Component

In the face of the wave of AI and robotics development, Mr. Liu emphasized that the core value of craftsmanship will not be shaken by technological change. He stated that simple, repetitive positions will eventually be replaced, while technologically advanced jobs will be increased, making young people proactively embrace technological transformation. "Every component we produce is a masterpiece," Mr. Liu said. "Everyone must uphold the standard to make every product perfect."

The railway engineering machinery model equipped with automated control functions showcases CRRC's achievements in integrating intelligent technology into traditional track maintenance equipment. Photo by Bastille Post

Collaborative robots demonstrate precise operational capabilities, highlighting the diversified development of intelligent technologies across both service and industrial applications. Photo by Bastille Post