China adds AI chips to secure technology assessment list amid US curbs
China has expanded its trusted technology certification system to include AI chips, adding a new category for 'AI training and inference chips' under state-backed assessments. The move follows US export restrictions on advanced GPUs and aims to accelerate the adoption of domestic alternatives in AI infrastructure for government and state-linked entities.
China’s official technology assessment bodies, the China Information Technology Security Evaluation Centre and the National Secrecy Science and Technology Evaluation Centre, released an updated list on Tuesday evening. For the first time, the list includes AI chips under a new category called 'AI training and inference chips,' valid for three years. These certifications serve as a definitive procurement guide for government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and other entities under the Xinchuang initiative, which promotes domestic IT solutions to replace foreign hardware and software in sensitive systems. The expansion reflects China’s shifting focus from CPUs and databases to AI infrastructure, targeting foreign suppliers like Nvidia amid US export controls. The restrictions have limited Chinese access to advanced GPUs, increasing urgency for domestic alternatives. The Xinchuang campaign, launched years ago, has already pushed out US firms such as Intel, AMD, and Oracle from critical systems. The new assessments align with Beijing’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign technology in strategically important sectors. Government-linked organizations are now expected to prioritize certified AI chips, reinforcing China’s push for self-sufficiency in high-tech industries. The move underscores the intensifying tech rivalry between China and the US, particularly in AI-driven computing.
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