China continues to reduce its dependence on American technology, now targeting Intel and AMD chips in government computers. New purchasing guidelines introduced in December prioritize “safe and reliable” processors, essentially pushing for domestic alternatives.
These guidelines strongly favor Chinese chipmakers like Huawei’s HiSilicon, Loongson, Zhaoxin, and Phytium. While there’s some flexibility for limited Intel or AMD purchases under special circumstances, the impact on those companies will be significant.
This push extends to software as well. China has previously mandated a switch to Chinese-developed operating systems in some government sectors. This latest move highlights China’s efforts to replace US-made chips at the hardware level.
Intel and AMD could theoretically seek Chinese government approval, however, this would require the unlikely step of handing over sensitive research, development, and code information.
