Despite escalating US-China tech tensions, companies from the United States, China, India, Brazil, and Europe are collaborating on the open-source RISC-V chip architecture, according to executives. Alibaba VP Xiaoning Qi described the ecosystem as unified, while MIPS CTO Yankin Tanurhan noted close cooperation with Chinese firms.
US intellectual property provider collaborating on RISC-V
GlobalFoundries
US chipmaker that acquired MIPS
Alibaba Group Holding
Chinese conglomerate contributing to RISC-V ecosystem
↳ Why This Matters
The continued collaboration on RISC-V between US and Chinese entities, despite geopolitical tensions and chip rivalry, suggests that open-source architectures may offer a pathway for continued technological development and cooperation in the semiconductor industry.
Key facts
US and Chinese firms are collaborating on the RISC-V chip architecture despite intense tech rivalry.
Alibaba VP Xiaoning Qi described RISC-V participants as working together as 'one unified ecosystem'.
RISC-V is an open-standard instruction set architecture that can be used without licensing fees.
China has increased its adoption of RISC-V due to US export controls on advanced semiconductors.
MIPS, owned by GlobalFoundries, is closely collaborating with Chinese companies on RISC-V standardization.
Despite escalating US-China tech tensions, cross-border cooperation on the open-source RISC-V chip architecture is deepening, according to executives. MIPS, an intellectual property provider acquired by US chipmaker GlobalFoundries, is collaborating with Chinese firms at an unprecedented level on RISC-V standardization, said CTO Yankin Tanurhan.
Alibaba Group Holding vice-president Xiaoning Qi stated on July 7, 2026, that companies from the United States, China, India, Brazil, and Europe are actively collaborating within the RISC-V ecosystem. Qi described the participants as working together 'as one unified ecosystem' for both edge and cloud applications, promoting goodwill between countries.
RISC-V, an open-standard instruction set architecture, allows for free use and modification of its CPU blueprint, unlike proprietary architectures from Arm or Intel. Its adoption in China has surged due to Washington's tightening export controls, pushing Beijing towards sovereignty-friendly alternatives. Alibaba's semiconductor unit, T-Head, is a prominent contributor to the ecosystem.
Qi's remarks highlight the potential for open-source architectures to create politically neutral spaces in the semiconductor industry, even as governments restrict technology flows. The durability of this cooperation may be tested as policy circles debate whether open-standard bodies could become vectors for technology transfer.
Frequently asked questions
RISC-V is an open-standard instruction set architecture that provides a freely accessible blueprint for designing central processing units (CPUs), allowing for use and modification without licensing fees or geopolitical restrictions.
China is accelerating its pivot to RISC-V as a sovereignty-friendly alternative due to Washington's tightening export controls on advanced semiconductors and chip-design tools, which restrict access to foreign proprietary technology.
Xiaoning Qi, vice-president at Alibaba Group Holding, said on July 7, 2026, that companies from the US, China, India, Brazil, and Europe are working together on RISC-V as one unified ecosystem, promoting friendship between countries.
What Happens Next
01Policy circles will debate whether open-standard bodies could become future vectors for technology transfer.
02Industry observers will watch if RISC-V International's membership continues to grow.
03Industry observers will watch if Alibaba and other Chinese firms deepen their contributions to the RISC-V specification.
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How It Developed
Alibaba Group Holding vice-president Xiaoning Qi stated on July 7, 2026, that companies from the US, China, India, Brazil, and Europe are collaborating on the RISC-V open-standard chip architecture.
MIPS, acquired by GlobalFoundries, is working closely with China on RISC-V standardization, according to CTO Yankin Tanurhan.
