China’s Xi Attacks Calls for Technology Blockades

Women take a selfie with a communist party's logo on display at Tiananmen Square to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on Monday, July 5, 2021. (AP)
Women take a selfie with a communist party's logo on display at Tiananmen Square to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on Monday, July 5, 2021. (AP)
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China’s Xi Attacks Calls for Technology Blockades

Women take a selfie with a communist party's logo on display at Tiananmen Square to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on Monday, July 5, 2021. (AP)
Women take a selfie with a communist party's logo on display at Tiananmen Square to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on Monday, July 5, 2021. (AP)

Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday attacked calls from some in the US and its allies to limit their dependency on Chinese suppliers and block the sharing of technologies.

In a speech to representatives of leftist political parties in more than 100 countries, Xi said China’s ruling Communist Party has succeeded in raising the country from poverty and created a new model of development.

Such experiences should be shared and no country should “obstruct the development of other countries and harm their people’s lives through political manipulation,” Xi said.

“We must jointly oppose anyone engaging in technological blockades, technological division and decoupling of development,” Xi said.

Decoupling has become a byword from some in the US and elsewhere for ending dependency on Chinese supply lines, especially for high-tech products such as smart phones and computers.

Xi’s speech, carried live online, comes days after he delivered a defiant address marking the Communist Party’s centenary, saying China will not be bullied and will punish anyone who tries.

Xi tends to alter his tone depending on whether he’s speaking to a domestic or international audience, according to analysts.

“Xi is a risk taker but he is not reckless,” said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.



China Vows to Protect its Rights against US Chip Probe

A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
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China Vows to Protect its Rights against US Chip Probe

A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo

China's commerce ministry vowed on Monday to take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests in response to the United States' investigation into the Chinese semiconductor industry.

The investigation will disrupt global chip supply chains and harm the interests of US firms and consumers, the ministry statement said.

On Monday, the Biden administration announced a last-minute trade investigation into Chinese-made "legacy" semiconductors that could heap more US tariffs on chips from China that power everyday goods from autos to washing machines to telecoms gear, Reuters reported.

The "Section 301" probe, launched just four weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, will be handed over to his administration in January for completion, Biden administration officials said.

The effort could offer Trump a ready avenue to begin imposing some of the hefty, 60% tariffs that he has threatened on Chinese imports.

Departing President Joe Biden has already imposed a 50% US tariff on Chinese semiconductors that starts on Jan. 1. His administration has tightened export curbs on advanced AI and memory chips and chipmaking equipment to China and also recently increased tariffs to 50% on Chinese solar wafers and polysilicon.