China bans using Intel and AMD chips in government PCs, sidelines Windows OS too

The new guidelines introduced by China require replacing foreign technology, which will ban the use of Intel and AMD chips in its government computers. This move aims to promote Chinese enterprises involved in hardware and software solutions, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

The guidelines also require sidelining the Windows operating system and other foreign database software to support domestic options. It is safe to assume that the move is due to ongoing tension between the US and China. 

Chinese officials have reportedly started following the new guidelines introduced by the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on December 26, 2023. The same day, the China Information Technology Security Evaluation Center (CITSEC) unveiled the first list of safe and reliable processors and operations systems from Chinese manufacturers.

Processors from popular entities like Huawei and Tianjin Phytium Information Technology are on the list. It is interesting because those entities are already on the export blacklist released by the US. 

It is worth noting that the US has imposed various sanctions on several Chinese companies due to national security concerns. The government has also passed many policies that lure companies to manufacture new technologies within its boundaries. It has also halted exports of advanced chips to China.  

China’s Finance Ministry, the MIIT, and CNITSEC reportedly didn’t comment when asked about the ban on Intel and AMD chips.

What do you think about the ongoing tension between China and the US? Share your thoughts in the comments below.