China is still 'three or four generations' away from developing latest semiconductor tech, IDC says

Even as China spends billions to build up its domestic semiconductor sector, it is still some time away from achieving the capabilities needed to produce cutting edge chips, an analyst said on Wednesday. Semiconductors are used in everything, from smartphones and computers to cars as well as home appliances. "I still believe that [China is] probably three or four generations behind what is considered leading edge," Mario Morales, group vice president for enabling technologies and semiconductors at the International Data Corporation, told CNBC's " Squawk Box Asia ." "So, if you look at leading edge, we're talking about 16-nanometer or…