China has banned merchandise offered by US chipmaker large Micron, citing cybersecurity considerations.
The Our on-line world Administration of China introduced the choice on Might 21, 2023, following a cybersecurity overview of Micron merchandise offered in China that was initiated in March 2023.
Within the assertion, the Chinese language authorities mentioned the overview had flagged “critical cybersecurity issues” with Micron merchandise, “which posed main dangers to China’s crucial data infrastructure provide chain and affected China’s nationwide safety.”
In consequence, “operators of crucial data infrastructure in China ought to cease buying Micron merchandise.”
The particular cybersecurity considerations weren’t defined, though the Our on-line world Administration of China cited the nation’s cyber and knowledge safety legal guidelines as the rationale.
The US Commerce Division was quick to condemn the decision, stating: “We’ve got seen the announcement by the Individuals’s Republic of China (PRC) relating to Micron. We firmly oppose restrictions that haven’t any foundation in truth. This motion, together with current raids and focusing on of different American companies, is inconsistent with the PRC’s assertions that it’s opening its markets and dedicated to a clear regulatory framework.”
The US authorities company added that it will likely be partaking with allies and companions “to make sure we’re intently coordinated to handle distortions of the reminiscence chip market brought on by China’s actions.”
Chatting with the Wall Road Journal, Micron mentioned it’s “evaluating the choice” and searching “ahead to persevering with to interact with discussions with Chinese language authorities.”
The announcement has come amid rising geopolitical tensions between the US and China, which has spilt over into fields similar to semiconductor chip manufacturing and cybersecurity.
For instance, the US has positioned heavy restrictions on semiconductor gross sales to Chinese language tech large Huawei in recent times, whereas the identical firm has confronted substantial restrictions on entry to nations just like the US and UK.
Moreover, the EU, US, Canada and others have lately issued restrictions on the usage of Chinese language social media web site TikTok.
These choices are a results of considerations in regards to the hyperlinks and knowledge sharing relationships between the Chinese language authorities and personal corporations based mostly within the area.
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