A central processing unit (CPU) semiconductor chip is displayed among flags of China and U.S., in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File photo
China has recently introduced guidelines aimed at phasing out the use of U.S. microprocessors manufactured by Intel and AMD in government personal computers and servers, as reported by the Financial Times on Sunday. Additionally, the guidelines seek to diminish reliance on Microsoft’s Windows operating system and foreign-made database software in favor of domestic alternatives.
According to the report, government agencies above the township level have been instructed to incorporate criteria prioritizing the procurement of “safe and reliable” processors and operating systems. China’s Ministry of Industry issued a statement in late December listing CPUs, operating systems, and centralized databases deemed “safe and reliable” for a three-year period, all sourced from domestic companies.
Requests for comment from the State Council Information Office, responsible for media inquiries on behalf of China’s cabinet, were met with no immediate response. Similarly, both Intel and AMD refrained from providing comments in response to Reuters’ inquiries.
This move by China comes amidst efforts by the United States to bolster domestic semiconductor production and decrease dependence on China and Taiwan. The Biden administration’s 2022 CHIPS and Science Act is aimed at enhancing domestic semiconductor capabilities and includes financial incentives for domestic chip production, particularly in the production of advanced chips.
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