China Blocks US Big Tech AI, Pushes Chip Self-Sufficiency Amid National Security Concerns

• China is actively restricting US AI chips like Nvidia’s H200 to accelerate domestic self-sufficiency in semiconductors and AI technology.
• Beijing instructed some tech firms to pause H200 use, prioritizing local alternatives such as Huawei’s Ascend chips, and previously banned foreign AI chips from state-funded data centers.
• Chinese officials are reviewing Meta Platforms Inc.’s acquisition of AI startup Manus for potential national security or technology export regulation violations.
• Beijing is considering restricting Manus’s agentic AI technology, designed for tasks like booking flights, due to its vital role in Chinese national security.
• China has been pushing domestic firms to develop technology and replace American software and circuitry, focusing on fundamental hardware like AI accelerators and semiconductors.

Why It Matters: China intensifies efforts for AI and chip self-sufficiency, restricting US tech and scrutinizing foreign deals.