The conflict between China and the US rages on as the former makes a move to block US-made components. China aims to prohibit the use of AMD and Intel chips for its government computers and servers for the sake of safety.
China Blocks US-Based Chips
The tension between China and the US has been growing, especially now that the US government is determined to ban TikTok nationwide after accusing the parent company, ByteDance, of potentially sharing US user data with the Chinese government.
It looks like the distrust goes both ways as China is trying to minimize US-based tech products in the country as well. New guidelines are implemented that would prohibit the use of microprocessors from AMD and Intel in Chinese government computers and servers
With the Windows operating system being developed by a US company as well, the guidelines also affect Microsoft. Instead, China prefers to use domestic options, meaning that it will opt for tech that is based in China, as reported by Reuters.
Government agencies base the usage of components on criteria that require processors and operating systems to be "safe and reliable." China's industry ministry already created a list of eligible components and software in December, all of which are developed in the country.
With the US still depending on China for some of its semiconductor production, the Biden administration aims to reduce that significantly with the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to boost domestic production for said components.
The act will be supported by hundreds of billions in funding, all of which will be divided into various investments. Some will go to the costs of manufacturing, equipment, and factories, while others will be poured into research and worker training.
Distrust Within the US
Both countries are working hard to implement measures that prioritize their security. It's the main reason why the US is moving to ban TikTok in the country. While a nationwide block has not been passed, the short-form video app has already been banned on government-issued devices.
According to Forbes, 39 out of 50 states are already prohibiting the use of the app on government devices in 2023. However, it was as early as 2022 when Congress banned the download of the app through federal devices or networks.
When the TikTok ban was passed by the House of Representatives, China even accused the US of "bullying," and that it was only using national security as a pretext to suppress the Chinese company behind TikTok, ByteDance.
The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry also expressed that the US was "leveraging state power" against the parent company despite having no evidence against TikTok being a threat to national security, as per NBC News.
Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that "Everyone can clearly see what is bullying behavior and what is tantamount to theft logic" during a news briefing, and that if the "pretext of national security" can be used to suppress companies, then "there is no fairness or justice to speak of."
