A Shenzhen-based unit of Chinese semiconductor equipment maker SiCarrier has rolled out two new chip design software tools, marking another major step in the country’s push to reduce dependence on U.S. technology.
The subsidiary,Qiyunfang, unveiled the software at the WeSemiBay Semiconductor Ecosystem Expo 2025 in Shenzhen. The two products cover schematic capture and PCB (printed circuit board) design, both critical stages in creating electronic components and integrated circuits.
A Strategic Shift in Chip Design
Electronic design automation (EDA) software is essential for planning and building advanced chips. For years, this market has been dominated by U.S. companies like Cadence Design Systems, Synopsys, and Siemens EDA. China has had no real domestic alternative, until now.
Qiyunfang says its new software supports Chinese-made operating systems, databases, and middleware, and is already being used by more than 20,000 engineers.
SiCarrier, founded in 2021 and backed by the Shenzhen municipal government, works closely with Huawei and has quickly become one of China’s fastest-rising semiconductor players.
Rising Tensions Accelerate Development
The launch follows growing export restrictions from the United States, which earlier this year temporarily curbed access to chip design software for Chinese firms. Washington is now considering even broader controls, including a proposal by former President Donald Trump to limit “all critical software” exports and impose new tariffs on Chinese tech.
Analysts have long warned that cutting off access to foreign EDA tools could severely slow China’s chip design capabilities. With these new domestic alternatives entering the market, Beijing is attempting to close that vulnerability.
Building Tech Self-Sufficiency
China’s semiconductor industry is racing to eliminate foreign choke points, from chipmaking tools to lithography and design software. The release of SiCarrier’s EDA platforms signals that the country is starting to build replacements for one of the most specialized and difficult areas of chip development.
While the new tools won’t immediately replace the advanced capabilities of their U.S. counterparts, they represent a major strategic milestone. By gaining control over the design process, China is laying the groundwork for long-term independence in its semiconductor supply chain.
