Global Courant
BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping, during an inspection tour of a major industrial province, reiterated his call for greater innovation and technological independence as the United States continues to tighten China’s access to advanced technologies.
China should accelerate upgrades of key technologies and core products, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported Friday.
“With the rapid development of information technology and the emergence of disruptive technologies at any time, it is necessary to maintain a solid foundation on the path of innovation and contribute to the realization of high-level self-reliance in technology,” said Xi. .
Xi’s call to bolster technology innovation comes as tensions between the US and China over semiconductors, which began with the Trump administration’s trade war, are rising under President Joe Biden.
Washington is considering new restrictions on the sale of artificial intelligence microchips, following a sweeping series of export controls last year to cut China off certain semiconductor chips made anywhere in the world using US equipment.
The US is also considering limiting the flow of its investment and know-how to Chinese companies working on advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computers.
In order to protect the development of China’s technology sector, Mr. Xi increasingly called for greater self-sufficiency and the need to achieve scientific breakthroughs, even turning to state-owned enterprises to win the “battle” for key nuclear technologies and ensure China’s industrial security.
Earlier this week, China abruptly announced export controls on two metals commonly used in semiconductors and electric vehicles to protect its national security and interests, with Chinese state media and a policy adviser saying it was “just a start”.
The US is committed to healthy competition with China based on fair rules that benefit both countries, not a “winner-take-all” approach, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Friday .
Dr Yellen’s trip to China comes weeks after a visit from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who agreed with Xi that rivalries should not escalate into conflict. REUTERS
