China Catching up
with Taiwan in Chip Tech
US
Commerce Department says curbs follow consultation with international partners.
·
Chinese-made
chips are only about three years behind those produced by Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing Co Ltd, the industry leader, despite US efforts to constrain its
rival.
The
United States has rolled out fresh export controls on quantum computers and semiconductor-manufacturing
equipment amid concerns about the use of advanced technologies by rivals such
as China.
The
US Department of Commerce said on Thursday that the export restrictions
followed consultation with international partners and would strengthen
relations with “like-minded countries”.
“Today’s
action ensures our national export controls keep step with rapidly evolving
technologies and are more effective when we work in concert with international
partners,” Under Secretary for the Bureau of Industry and Security Alan Estevez
said in a statement.
“Aligning
our controls on quantum and other advanced technologies makes it significantly
more difficult for our adversaries to develop and deploy these technologies in
ways that threaten our collective security.”
The
US has sought to throttle China’s tech industry with curbs on advanced chips
and related equipment amid the growing strategic rivalry between Washington and
Beijing.
US
President Joe Biden’s administration has also pressed allied countries to
introduce their own restrictions to limit China’s access to semiconductor
technology.
On
Friday, the Netherlands announced tighter controls on exports of
semiconductor-making machines.
“We
see that technological advances have given rise to increased security risks
associated with the export of this specific manufacturing equipment, especially
in the current geopolitical context,” Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Reinette Klever said in a
statement.
Other
countries, including Japan, have previously joined US efforts to hobble the
Chinese tech sector by rolling out curbs on advanced chip-making equipment.
Beijing
has in turn ramped up efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in advanced chips,
pouring billions of dollars into its domestic industry.
In
a recent analysis, TechanaLye, a Tokyo-based
semiconductor research company, said that Chinese-made chips are only about
three years behind those produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd,
the industry leader, despite US efforts to constrain its rival.
China’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday accused the US of violating market
principles and disrupting global supply chains.
“This
does not align with the interests of any side,” spokeswoman Mao Ning told a
regular news conference.