China government on Sunday urged owners of computer equipment . It deems sensitive to stop buying products from Micron Technology Inc. The largest U.S. memory chip maker. Escalating a dispute with Washington over technology and security.
Micron products have unspecified “serious network security risks” that pose a danger to . China’s information infrastructure and affect national security. The Cyberspace Administration of China said on its website. Its six-sentence statement did not elaborate. China
“Operators of China’s critical information infrastructure . Should stop buying products from Micron Co.,” the agency said.
The United States, Europe and Japan . Are reducing Chinese access to advanced chipmaking and other . Technology that they say could be used in weapons at a time . When President Xi Jinping’s government has threatened to invade . Taiwan and is assertive toward Japan and other neighbors.
Chinese officials have warned of unspecified consequences . But appear to be struggling to find ways . To retaliate without hurting China’s smartphone makers and . Other industries and efforts to develop its own processor chip suppliers.
A formal review of Micron under China’s strict data protection laws was announced on April 4, hours after Japan joined. Washington in imposing restrictions on . Chinese access to technology to make processor chips on security grounds.
The foreign companies were hit by police raids on two consulting firms, Bain & Co. and Capvision, and a due diligence firm, the Mintz Group. Chinese authorities declined to explain. The raids but said foreign companies were bound by the law.
Business groups and. The US government have called on authorities to explain the expanded legal restrictions on data and how they will be enforced.
Sunday’s announcement appeared to try to reassure foreign companies.
“China promotes high-level opening to the outside world and, as long as it complies with . Chinese laws and regulations. welcomes enterprises from various countries and products and services from various. Platforms to enter the Chinese market,” the cyberspace agency said.
Xi accused Washington in March of trying to block China’s development. He urged people to “dare to fight”.
Even so, Beijing has been slow to retaliate. Presumably to avoid disrupting Chinese industries. That assemble most of the world’s smartphones, tablet computers and other consumer electronics. They import $300 billion worth of foreign chips every year.
Beijing is pouring billions of dollars into accelerating . Chip development and reducing the need for foreign technology. Chinese foundries can supply low-end chips used in cars and home appliances . But cannot support smartphones. Artificial intelligence and other advanced applications.
The conflict has prompted warnings . That the world could bifurcate, or split into. Separate spheres with incompatible technology standards that mean computers. Smartphones and other products from one region won’t work in another. This will increase costs and slow innovation.
US-China relations are at their lowest level in decades due to disputes over security. Beijing’s treatment of Hong Kong and Muslim ethnic minorities. Territorial disputes and China’s multibillion-dollar trade surplus.
