Report on the Launch of Qiyunfang’s EDA Software and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

On October 15, 2025, Qiyunfang, a subsidiary of SiCarrier, announced the launch of new Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software in Shenzhen, China. This development represents a significant advancement in China’s strategy to build a self-reliant semiconductor industry. The launch directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), by fostering domestic innovation, building resilient technological infrastructure, and promoting sustainable industrialization. This report analyzes the technical specifications of the software, its socio-economic implications, and its alignment with global sustainability objectives.

Technological Innovation for Sustainable Industrialization (SDG 9)

Software Capabilities and Performance Metrics

The newly launched EDA suite includes tools for Schematic Capture and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design. These tools are foundational for the electronics industry and are crucial for achieving sustainable production patterns. Qiyunfang’s claims highlight a commitment to efficiency and innovation, which are central tenets of SDG 9.

• Performance Enhancement: The software reportedly exceeds existing industry benchmarks by 30%, enabling more efficient design processes.
• Development Cycle Reduction: It is capable of reducing hardware development cycles by up to 40%. This acceleration contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by minimizing resource and energy consumption during the design phase.
• Domestic Ecosystem Compatibility: Full compatibility with domestic operating systems, databases, and middleware supports the creation of a resilient and independent national technology infrastructure, a key target of SDG 9.

Fostering Collaborative and Resilient Infrastructure

The software’s architecture is designed to support modern, collaborative workflows, which strengthens the industrial ecosystem and promotes inclusive innovation.

1. Large-Scale Collaboration: The platform enables hundreds of engineers to work concurrently on a single project, fostering partnerships for innovation as outlined in SDG 17.
2. Cloud-Based Data Management: Unified data management with robust security features enhances the resilience of critical intellectual property infrastructure, protecting national innovation assets.

Socio-Economic Impact and Contribution to Global Goals

Promoting Economic Growth and Decent Work (SDG 8)

The availability of domestic EDA tools is poised to stimulate economic activity and create high-value employment opportunities within China’s technology sector.

• Empowering Local Industry: The software provides Chinese technology firms, from large corporations like Huawei to emerging startups, with critical tools, reducing their operational risks associated with geopolitical supply chain disruptions.
• Lowering Barriers to Entry: Accessible and domestically supported EDA solutions can foster a more vibrant innovation ecosystem, enabling startups to develop custom hardware and contribute to sustained economic growth.
• Driving Competition: The launch intensifies domestic competition, which can lead to further innovation and technological advancement, supporting the overall health of the industry.

Addressing Technological Disparities (SDG 10)

By developing indigenous core technologies, China aims to reduce its technological dependency on a small number of foreign entities. This strategic initiative aligns with the broader goal of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by creating a more balanced global technology landscape and empowering national development.

Future Outlook: Challenges and Sustainable Development Pathways

Strategic Trajectory and Long-Term Goals

Qiyunfang’s launch is a foundational step in a long-term strategy to achieve comprehensive self-sufficiency in the semiconductor value chain. This strategy has direct implications for building sustainable infrastructure for the future.

• Support for Strategic Industries: The focus on mature-node chip design will facilitate innovation in sectors critical for sustainability, such as autonomous vehicles, smart grids, and IoT devices, directly contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Integration of AI: Future development aims to integrate more intelligence into the EDA tools, leveraging AI to optimize chip design for better performance and lower power consumption, which supports SDG 12.

Navigating Global Challenges

While a significant milestone, the path to full technological parity with established global leaders presents challenges. Overcoming these hurdles is essential for achieving long-term sustainable industrial goals.

1. Advanced-Node Technology Gap: A primary challenge remains in developing EDA tools for cutting-edge process nodes (e.g., 3nm, 5nm), where global competitors maintain a significant lead.
2. Ecosystem Maturity: Building a comprehensive and cohesive domestic ecosystem requires sustained investment and collaboration, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 on a national scale.
3. Geopolitical Headwinds: Ongoing export controls and international technology rivalry complicate the goal of building resilient infrastructure and may lead to a fragmented global industry.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  This is the most prominent SDG addressed in the article. The entire text focuses on China’s strategic efforts to build a resilient and independent technological infrastructure within its semiconductor industry. The launch of the EDA software by Qiyunfang is a clear example of fostering domestic innovation to upgrade a critical industrial sector and reduce reliance on foreign technology, directly aligning with the core principles of SDG 9.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article connects the development of a domestic semiconductor ecosystem to national economic growth and security. By creating high-performance EDA tools, China aims to accelerate its product development cycles, reduce costs, and enhance productivity in a high-value-added sector. This technological upgrading is a key driver for economic growth. The mention of over 20,000 engineers adopting the software also points to the creation and support of high-skilled jobs.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  While seemingly counterintuitive, SDG 17 is relevant in the context of its challenges. The article describes a trend of “technological decoupling” and a “bifurcated global technology landscape” driven by geopolitical pressures and export controls. This highlights the breakdown of international cooperation and technology sharing (a key aspect of SDG 17) and showcases a national strategy to mitigate the risks associated with these global trade and technology dynamics.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers… and public and private research and development spending.

   The article is a direct illustration of this target. China is actively upgrading the technological capabilities of its semiconductor sector through the development of indigenous EDA software. The text highlights “concerted effort to build sophisticated, independently developed tools” and mentions significant government and private investment through initiatives like the “Big Fund II and substantial increases in private investment” to encourage this innovation.

2. Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries.

   The launch of Qiyunfang’s software is a cornerstone of China’s strategy for “domestic technology development, research and innovation.” The article explicitly states this move fits into the goal of establishing an “‘independent and controllable’ AI ecosystem,” which is a clear policy environment supporting industrial self-reliance and value addition within the country’s borders.

3. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.

   The article details how the new EDA software aims to boost economic productivity. It makes specific claims of being “capable of reducing hardware development cycles by up to 40%” and exceeding “industry benchmarks by an impressive 30%.” This technological upgrading is presented as a way to achieve faster innovation and enhance the performance of the high-value semiconductor industry, directly contributing to higher economic productivity.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Domestic Market Share: The article notes that foreign EDA firms historically controlled “70-80% of the Chinese market” and that China’s domestic EDA market share was “projected to exceed 10% by 2024.” Tracking the increase in domestic market share for companies like Qiyunfang is a direct indicator of progress towards self-reliance (Target 9.b).
• Research and Development Investment: The article implies a significant increase in R&D spending by referencing “heavy investment in this sector, backed by initiatives like the Big Fund II and substantial increases in private investment.” The amount of public and private funding directed towards the domestic EDA and semiconductor industry serves as a key indicator for Target 9.5.
• Productivity and Performance Metrics: The article provides specific, measurable claims that can be used as performance indicators. These include the “40% reduction in hardware development cycles” and the software exceeding “industry benchmarks by an impressive 30%.” Verifying these metrics would measure the impact of the innovation on productivity (Target 8.2).
• Number of Skilled Professionals: The mention of “over 20,000 engineers” having adopted the software is an indicator of the size of the skilled workforce engaged with this new domestic technology. This can be seen as a proxy for the number of R&D workers and skilled professionals in the sector (relevant to Target 9.5).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: markets.financialcontent.com