Core Insights - The article highlights the increasing importance of capital in driving technological breakthroughs and upgrading the semiconductor supply chain amid intensifying global competition and accelerated domestic production processes [1] Group 1: Major Investments - The National Big Fund Phase III has invested 100 million RMB in Nantong Crystal, increasing its registered capital from 300 million RMB to 400 million RMB, with a 25% stake [2] - China Life Insurance has announced a 2 billion RMB investment in a new fund focusing on semiconductors and smart electric vehicles, reflecting a strategic shift towards high-tech sectors [5][6] - Juyuan Technology plans to invest 150 million RMB through its wholly-owned subsidiary in a fund targeting the semiconductor and integrated circuit sectors [8][12] - Fulede Technology is participating in a private investment fund focused on the semiconductor industry, contributing 30 million RMB, which represents about 2.4% of the fund's total size [13][15] Group 2: Industry Focus - Nantong Crystal specializes in high-performance synthetic quartz materials, essential for semiconductor manufacturing, particularly in producing photomask substrates [4] - The investments from China Life Insurance are part of a broader strategy to support key emerging industries, including semiconductors, digital energy, and smart electric vehicles [6][7] - Juyuan Technology aims to enhance its influence in the upstream materials and technology sectors of semiconductors through its investment [12] - Fulede Technology's investment strategy includes targeting upstream materials and chip design, as well as emerging hard-tech fields like artificial intelligence and robotics [15] Group 3: Strategic Implications - The investments from the National Big Fund, China Life, Juyuan Technology, and Fulede Technology demonstrate a strong confidence and long-term strategy in the semiconductor sector, focusing on critical pain points such as materials and design [16] - The establishment and operation of these funds are expected to facilitate breakthroughs in the domestic production of key materials like photomasks, contributing to a more complete ecosystem for chip design, manufacturing, and packaging [16]