On Friday, China’s cybersecurity regulator announced an investigation into the memory chip manufacturer Micron Technology over concerns related to national security. The investigation marks an escalation in the ongoing competition between Beijing and Washington for dominance in the semiconductor field. The move comes amid deteriorating relations between the two countries.
In a statement, Micron said it was “cooperating fully” with the Chinese authorities. This latest move from China comes as US authorities have sought to prevent the export of advanced chip technology to the country, imposing targeted controls on the ability of domestic industry leaders to sell their products overseas. The US has also been urging its allies to do the same.
Recently, the Netherlands and Japan, both leading manufacturers of specialised semiconductor technology equipment, have imposed new restrictions on exporting certain products to China. In response, Beijing has denounced these decisions as “US bullying tactics” and has reaffirmed its goal of achieving self-reliance in the sector, a goal for which it has been investing vast sums in domestic chip technology firms.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning defended the investigation as a “normal measure” taken to conduct network security reviews of internet products that may impact national security. She also emphasised that both Chinese and foreign companies operating in China must abide by the country’s laws and regulations and must not pose a threat to its national security.
