Beijing has asked the US, Japan and the Netherlands to confirm the existence of an alleged agreement between the three countries to curb semiconductor exports to China, state media reported yesterday.
Beijing’s representatives issued the request during a regular meeting this week at the WTO, a state television broadcast said.
Representatives demanded that the three countries “notify the WTO of the agreement and subsequent measures, and [called] on the WTO to strengthen supervision of the measures.”
Photo: Bloomberg
Washington has in recent years attempted to cut Chinese companies out of supply chains that provide access to advanced chip technology, while urging its allies to adopt similar measures.
In October last year, Washington introduced new export controls in a bid to limit the ability of Chinese entities to purchase and manufacture high-end chips with possible military applications.
The Netherlands, a leading producer of components used to manufacture semiconductors, announced similar restrictions last month, followed closely by Japan.
China, which has sought in the past few years to achieve self-reliance in the semiconductor field, maintains that the curbs are designed to preserve US technological supremacy in the face of Beijing’s rise.
After Japan announced export controls last week, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning (毛寧) lambasted the decision as an attempt to “politicize, instrumentalize, and weaponize trade and technology issues.”
“With this type of action, they are harming others, but they are also harming themselves at the same time,” she said.
Moreover, Beijing has started to take reciprocal action, as Washington ramps up efforts to restrict the flow of advanced technology to China.
The nation’s top Internet regulator on Friday last week announced that it had launched an investigation into US firm Micron Technology Inc — a leading producer of memory chips — citing the need to “safeguard national security.”
“Both Chinese companies and foreign companies operating in China must abide by Chinese laws and regulations and must not endanger China’s national security,” Mao told a regular press conference on Monday.
Micron, which counts on mainland China for about 11 percent of its sales, said China’s investigation is not affecting its ability to deliver products.
“Micron’s product shipments, engineering, manufacturing, sales and other functions are operating as normal,” the company said on Monday. “Micron is committed to conducting all business with uncompromising integrity, and we stand by the security of our products and our commitments to customers.”
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
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