US Chip Maker Micron Under Scrutiny as Beijing Tries to Rebalance Global Tech Order
The move by China's Cyberspace Administration to launch a probe into US chip maker Micron Technology is part of Beijing's efforts to reassert control over its tech sector amid escalating tensions with the US. The watchdog has announced it will review Micron's products sold in the country, citing concerns over cybersecurity risks and national security.
As Washington and its allies tighten restrictions on China's semiconductor industry, Beijing appears determined to push back against what it sees as undue interference from foreign powers. Japan, a key US ally in Asia, has also joined the fray, announcing plans to restrict exports of advanced chip manufacturing equipment to countries including China.
The move is part of a broader campaign by Beijing to bolster its own tech capabilities and resist what it perceives as attempts by Western nations to strangle its growth ambitions. As the country grapples with economic challenges, policymakers are scrambling to woo foreign investments and create an environment conducive to business growth.
But Beijing's efforts to shape global standards have been met with resistance from Washington and other major powers. The US has imposed curbs on China's semiconductor industry, citing national security concerns, while the Netherlands has also introduced new restrictions on overseas sales of key technology.
Shares in Micron plummeted on Wall Street following news of the probe, as investors became concerned about the potential impact on its operations in China, where it derives more than 10% of its revenue. The company had earlier warned of such risks and expressed fears that Beijing might restrict its access to the Chinese market or prevent it from competing effectively with local firms.
As tensions escalate, China has criticized restrictions on tech exports, saying they are "firmly opposed" by Beijing. Meanwhile, US corporate intelligence firm Mintz Group's office in Beijing was recently closed, while Deloitte's operations were suspended for three months and fined $31 million over alleged lapses in auditing a state-owned distressed debt manager.
With the global tech landscape shifting rapidly, China appears determined to assert its influence and create an environment that favors domestic firms. The move against Micron Technology is just the latest chapter in a broader struggle between Beijing and Washington over control of the world's most advanced technologies.
The move by China's Cyberspace Administration to launch a probe into US chip maker Micron Technology is part of Beijing's efforts to reassert control over its tech sector amid escalating tensions with the US. The watchdog has announced it will review Micron's products sold in the country, citing concerns over cybersecurity risks and national security.
As Washington and its allies tighten restrictions on China's semiconductor industry, Beijing appears determined to push back against what it sees as undue interference from foreign powers. Japan, a key US ally in Asia, has also joined the fray, announcing plans to restrict exports of advanced chip manufacturing equipment to countries including China.
The move is part of a broader campaign by Beijing to bolster its own tech capabilities and resist what it perceives as attempts by Western nations to strangle its growth ambitions. As the country grapples with economic challenges, policymakers are scrambling to woo foreign investments and create an environment conducive to business growth.
But Beijing's efforts to shape global standards have been met with resistance from Washington and other major powers. The US has imposed curbs on China's semiconductor industry, citing national security concerns, while the Netherlands has also introduced new restrictions on overseas sales of key technology.
Shares in Micron plummeted on Wall Street following news of the probe, as investors became concerned about the potential impact on its operations in China, where it derives more than 10% of its revenue. The company had earlier warned of such risks and expressed fears that Beijing might restrict its access to the Chinese market or prevent it from competing effectively with local firms.
As tensions escalate, China has criticized restrictions on tech exports, saying they are "firmly opposed" by Beijing. Meanwhile, US corporate intelligence firm Mintz Group's office in Beijing was recently closed, while Deloitte's operations were suspended for three months and fined $31 million over alleged lapses in auditing a state-owned distressed debt manager.
With the global tech landscape shifting rapidly, China appears determined to assert its influence and create an environment that favors domestic firms. The move against Micron Technology is just the latest chapter in a broader struggle between Beijing and Washington over control of the world's most advanced technologies.