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  David Lai , CFA

  CFA

Following the Xi–Trump meeting at the recent APEC Summit, market sentiment has turned cautiously optimistic on hopes of a renewed trade truce between China and the US. Some investors, however, view this détente as a sign that China’s drive for technological self-sufficiency could ease. Although the meeting did not address whether Nvidia’s latest Blackwell-series AI chips might be exported to China, speculation has risen that improving relations could lead to a relaxation of export restrictions — a development some perceive as negative for Chinese semiconductor and hardcore tech names. We take a different view. China’s determination to reduce reliance on imported technology remains firm. Recent initiatives, such as the reported requirement for state-funded data centers to adopt domestically produced chips, underscore the government’s resolve to build a self-sustaining semiconductor ecosystem. In mid-October, China Mobile also announced plans to construct the nation’s largest intelligent computing infrastructure by 2028, featuring a “100,000-GPU cluster” that will fully utilize domestic chips. Top Chinese officials have reiterated that innovation and advanced manufacturing remain core national priorities. These developments suggest that even if US export curbs were relaxed, China’s policy direction will continue to favor domestic research, production, and technological substitution. For investors looking to capture this structural growth opportunity, the Premia China STAR50 ETF provides an efficient and diversified vehicle. It offers focused exposure to leading STAR Market companies at the forefront of China’s innovation agenda — from semiconductors and AI to next-generation industrial technologies — positioning investors to benefit from the country’s ongoing technology upgrade.

Nov 10, 2025