China eyes chip-industry foothold with a tiny Han Xin code to challenge US standard

After failing to unseat the QR code years ago, Beijing is betting that a “micro” version of its home-grown barcode can gain a foothold in the global semiconductor supply chain China is attempting to breathe new life into its nearly 20-year-old Han Xin code by promoting a miniaturised version to use on semiconductors, marking the latest chapter in Beijing’s long-running attempt to secure a foothold for its home-grown standards in global industrial supply chains. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said on Monday that the “Micro Han Xin” code – a scaled-down iteration of the 2007-era symbology – had entered the formal international standardisation process. The effort aims to mark components that are too small for conventional labelling, specifically computer components. These ultra-compact codes give unique identities to sensors, microprocessors, controllers, memory units and other components, allowing them to be tracked across complex fabrication, packaging and testing workflows. The move reflects a strategic recalibration as China looks to challenge the established foreign technologies being used in high-specification industrial applications.

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