China Dominates Global Semiconductor Patent Growth

According to semiconductor patent disclosures filed with the world’s five major intellectual property offices (IP5)—South Korea, the United States, China, Japan, and the European Union—China’s share of semiconductor patent applications has surged from 14% in 2003 to 71.7% in 2022.

In the past decade, China has obtained technical patents in the field of semiconductor components, as well as in the areas of older general semiconductors and cutting-edge semiconductors. From 2018 to 2022, China ranked first in the number of semiconductor patent applications filed with the IP5 (135,428 applications), far surpassing the United States, which ranked second with 87,573 applications.

To some extent, the sanctions launched by the United States against China in trade and technology have helped and promoted the development of China’s semiconductor industry. The increase in the number of semiconductor patents is beneficial for China to enhance its comprehensive strength in the semiconductor field and to strengthen its production capacity. Before 2018, China’s self-sufficiency rate in semiconductors was only 5%, but this figure reached 17% in 2022, and it is expected to reach 25% this year.

Chinese netizens have expressed that the development of China’s semiconductor industry is very rapid. The advancement of cutting-edge industries will promote high-quality employment and economic development. However, China still needs to strive to continuously break through top technologies.

Korean Fugitive Selling Drugs to High School Students Captured and Extradited by Chinese Police

On December 27, relying on Chinese police’s help, Korean authorities finally gained custody of a suspect accused of drugging and extorting high school students. Lee Jae-Cheon, a 26-year-old South Korean national, was extradited after being apprehended in China where he had sought refuge.

Lee, along with accomplices, devised a scheme in April of this year. They diluted methamphetamine (commonly referred to as “ice”) into beverages and deceived more than ten high school students into consuming them. Subsequently, they exploited the students’ drug use as leverage to threaten and extort money from their parents.

Lee was wanted by South Korean authorities on charges of providing drugs to minors and engaging in intentional extortion, leading to an Interpol red notice being issued for his arrest. Upon receiving a request from South Korea, China’s Ministry of Public Security deployed public security units in Jilin province to track down Lee.

Through close collaboration between law enforcement agencies in both countries, Lee was located and apprehended in China. Following the completion of necessary legal procedures, Chinese authorities extradited him to South Korea.

This successful operation underscores the shared commitment of both nations to combating transnational crime, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations such as minors. “Chinese law enforcement attaches great importance to combating transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, especially those that infringe upon the rights of minors,” stated the Ministry of Public Security in a recent statement.