比“缺芯”还严重？90%市场被美日垄断，中国正在逐步突破精密仪器领域

Core Viewpoint - The intensifying Sino-U.S. technology competition has made semiconductors a focal point, but the challenges faced by China in the precision instruments sector are even more severe, with the market largely dominated by the U.S. and Japan [1][8]. Semiconductor Industry - China's semiconductor industry began developing in 1956, with the first integrated circuit produced in 1965, but market demand stagnated in the 1970s until policy support in 2000 [4][5]. - SMIC has transitioned from a foundry to achieving technological breakthroughs, notably mass-producing 14nm processes in 2020 [6]. - Despite being the largest chip consumer globally, China's self-sufficiency rate in semiconductors is projected to remain below 30% in 2024 [7]. Precision Instruments Sector - Precision instruments, referred to as the "mother machine" of industry, are critical for high-end manufacturing [9]. - The CNC machine tool market in China is expected to reach $59.2 billion by 2025, with a high dependency on imports for high-end products at 45% [11]. - The high-end market is dominated by Japanese companies like Yamazaki Mazak and DMG Mori, while domestic companies face significant challenges due to strict export controls under the Wassenaar Arrangement [11]. - The electron microscope market is similarly dominated by international giants such as Zeiss and Thermo Fisher, with Chinese products still lagging in performance [11]. Challenges and Solutions - The core issue lies in the weakness of foundational technology and short-sighted industrial orientation, with domestic companies focusing more on short-term returns rather than long-term research [15]. - The Chinese government has increased support for high-end manufacturing, and domestic enterprises are making progress in fields like CNC machine tools and electron microscopes [16][17]. - To break the U.S.-Japan monopoly, China needs to address foundational research weaknesses, increase long-term investment in R&D, and enhance industry-academia collaboration to foster innovation [17]. Future Outlook - China's breakthroughs in precision instruments are ongoing, with a hopeful future if the country maintains its commitment to technological self-reliance [19][20].