Zhu Jinping, Executive Vice President, Head of BU Electronics Solutions, and Chairman of AT&S China, addressed the Austria Connect China 2026 conference today, offering key insights into the company's strategic positioning under China's evolving economic framework. Participating in a panel discussion titled "Mapping Out the Future: China's 15th Five-Year Plan," Zhu outlined the opportunities and challenges emerging from the upcoming Five-Year Plan (FYP) and explained how AT&S navigates this dynamic market by executing its "local-for-local" strategy to meet customer needs precisely.
Zhu noted that high-tech industries, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and robotics, are poised to benefit from China's 15th FYP. However, he described the policy landscape as generating challenges for the microelectronics value chain.
"On one hand, these national priorities will stimulate robust market demand," Zhu stated. "On the other hand, our local peers are aggressively expanding their capacities, making the competitive landscape significantly fierce."
In response to these market dynamics, AT&S continues to enable the global AI ecosystem through advanced packaging and IC substrates. The company's production sites in China effectively combine global technological expertise with Chinese manufacturing expertise, creating a world-class microelectronics hub.
"This strategy, first and foremost, secured our long-term profitable growth and kept us out of the commodity trap," Zhu said. "Because of this focus, we are fully ready to supply our Chinese customers with everything from high-end substrates to advanced PCB modules for optical transceivers, powering high-performance computing, AI, and data-center connectivity."
The panel discussion took place at Austria Connect China, the largest Sino-Austrian business conference and the annual flagship event hosted by Advantage Austria. The event coincides with a historic milestone, as Austria and China celebrate the 55th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relations in 2026.
AT&S stands out as a prime example of this enduring partnership. Operating in China for 25 years, the company continues to bring next-generation solutions to the region, continuously building out its high-end capacity to serve Chinese and global tech pioneers from its state-of-the-art facilities in Shanghai and Chongqing.
AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft – Advanced Technologies & Solutions
AT&S is a global technology company and leading manufacturer of high-end IC substrates and complex printed circuit boards. AT&S develops and produces leading-edge interconnect technologies for key digital industries: AI infrastructure, high-performance computing, mobile devices, automotive, aerospace, industrial and medical technology. With production sites in Austria (Leoben, Fehring), China (Shanghai, Chongqing), Malaysia (Kulim), India (Nanjangud) and a European competence center for R&D and IC substrate production in Leoben, AT&S is actively shaping the digital transformation - through forward-looking investments in research and development and the responsible use of resources. The company currently employs nearly 15,000 people. Further information can also be found at AT&S official website.
