China’s latest chip push and AI fever in India

China accelerated its semiconductor self-sufficiency in 2026 by unveiling a 7nm quantum-classical hybrid chip, targeting AI and cryptography applications amid persistent U.S. export controls. India’s AI sector saw $5 billion in venture funding this quarter, driven by government-backed startups leveraging quantum machine learning for healthcare and agriculture. Beijing’s new state-backed foundry in Wuhan aims to mass-produce quantum-resistant chips by 2027, reducing reliance on TSMC and ASML amid geopolitical tensions. Indian tech giants Tata and Reliance partnered with U.S. firms to co-develop quantum algorithms, bypassing hardware limitations through cloud-based quantum simulations. Analysts warn Asia’s quantum race risks fragmenting global standards, as China and India prioritize domestic ecosystems over cross-border collaboration in critical tech sectors.