Chinese chipmaker CXMT is preparing to enter the NAND flash memory market, seeking to broaden its customer base as artificial-intelligence servers drive a global memory shortage. The company plans to establish a research-and-development production line at its new Beijing plant and has created a research institute in the capital whose projects include NAND development. CXMT has discussed the plan with customers, including a newly established startup that intends to use its chips in storage products for AI systems and supercomputers. It remains unclear when the line will begin operating or whether the company will advance from trial production to large-scale manufacturing. The move would challenge domestic rival YMTC while expanding CXMT beyond its core DRAM business. Samsung led the NAND market by revenue in the second quarter with a 29.3% share, followed by SK Hynix and Micron Technology. Industry executives expect the memory shortage to last through at least 2027, while TrendForce expects NAND supply tightness to ease only in the second half of next year. CXMT and YMTC are increasingly competing across memory segments as Beijing pushes for greater semiconductor self-sufficiency amid U.S. export restrictions.