China Implements Guidelines to Remove US Microprocessors and Software

In a move showing a significant shift in procurement practices, China has unveiled guidelines aimed at phasing out US microprocessors produced by Intel and AMD from government PCs and servers. Additionally, the guidelines seek to sideliner Microsoft’s Windows operating system and foreign-made database software in favour of domestic alternatives, as reported by the Financial Times on Sunday.

The reported procurement guidance, introduced in December, marks a deliberate effort by Chinese officials to promote the use of domestically developed technologies within government agencies. According to the Financial Times, these guidelines mandate that government entities above the township level prioritize “safe and reliable” processors and operating systems in their procurement decisions.

The implementation of these guidelines indicates a departure from reliance on foreign-made technology and underscores China’s commitment to fostering the growth of its domestic semiconductor industry. Both Intel and AMD refrained from immediate comment following the publication of the report.

The move by China aligns with broader geopolitical trends, as the United States has been actively pursuing strategies to bolster domestic semiconductor production and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers, particularly in China and Taiwan. The Biden administration’s 2022 Chips and Science Act exemplifies this initiative, aiming to enhance US semiconductor capabilities through financial incentives and subsidies for the production of advanced chips domestically.

As tensions persist between the US and China in the technology sector, the implementation of these guidelines reflects China’s determination to assert greater control over its technological infrastructure while promoting self-reliance in critical areas such as semiconductors and software.