Letters | China knows better than to rely on American tech

While American suppliers worry about losing China as a key node in global manufacturing and a key export market, the Chinese government is proactively planning for the future

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A Kunpeng 920 chip is unveiled by Chinese telecom giant Huawei during a ceremony in Shenzhen. China is prioritising the development of its semiconductor sector as the US restricts exports of technology. Photo: AP

Published: 2:00am, 4 Apr 2021Updated: 2:00am, 4 Apr 2021

I refer to “US-China relations: Beijing’s plan for aviation supremacy faces bumpy ride as American export controls show no signs of easing” (March 28).

Instead of showing goodwill and building trust with China, the new Biden administration has reaffirmed the American commitment to containment as its guiding foreign policy. The competition between China and the United States will continue to define most international relationships going forward.

Under the influence of export controls in the United States, American suppliers are very worried about losing China as both a key node in global manufacturing and as a key export market. By contrast, the Chinese government recognises the trend and is far more proactively planning for the future.

“Made in China 2025” and the Chinese government’s latest 14th five-year plan both focus on high-precision industries, especially the semiconductor industry. While no one wants to see this breakdown of international trade, comparatively speaking, there is little doubt that China is better equipped than the US to derive the most out of its technology professionals.

Zhang Xindan, student, City University of Hong Kong