SUMMARY

• China intensifies tech feud with the US by banning products from leading memory chip manufacturer Micron Technology Inc., citing serious network security risks.
• The ban came amid concerns from the US, Europe, and Japan over China's access to advanced chipmaking technology, which could potentially be weaponized.
• Despite threats of retaliation, China is attempting to balance its response to not harm domestic industries and its drive to build its own processor chip supply chain.

China has escalated its technology-based rivalry with Washington, issuing a directive to refrain from purchasing products from the United States' leading memory chip manufacturer, Micron Technology Inc. This action highlights a continued contention in the sphere of tech and security.

The Cyberspace Administration of China, through its official website, alleged that Micron's products carry "significant network security risks." These risks, they claim, threaten China's information infrastructure and could potentially jeopardize national security. However, the statement, only six sentences in length, did not provide further specifics regarding these security concerns.

The agency further instructed that "Operators of critical information infrastructure in China should cease procurement of products from Micron Co." This announcement comes as the US, Europe, and Japan have been working to curtail China's access to advanced chipmaking technology over concerns about potential weaponization.

The tension escalated when Chinese officials issued vague threats of retaliation, although they appear to be grappling with ways to respond without harming domestic smartphone manufacturers and other industries. Moreover, China's efforts to establish its own processor chip suppliers could also be impacted.

The conflict reached its zenith when, on April 4, China announced a review of Micron's practices under its increasingly stringent information security laws. This announcement was made just hours after Japan joined the US in restricting Chinese access to processor chip manufacturing technology over security concerns.

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