The United States’ technological restrictions appear to have accelerated China’s advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) chips, with Huawei Technologies leading the charge. Despite facing years of sanctions aimed at stifling its growth, Huawei is set to launch its Mate70 smartphone series on Tuesday, showcasing its self-sufficiency in chip development.
Bloomberg reported in November that “Huawei’s struggles reflect how years of U.S. sanctions have scored initial success at freezing Chinese technology advancement at current levels, and deprived its national champions of the chance to graduate to the next level.” However, Huawei’s resilience suggests that these efforts have not only failed to halt China’s progress but may have inadvertently spurred innovation.
Huawei has also developed HarmonyOS Next, a fully homegrown operating system, positioning itself alongside global giants like Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. The original HarmonyOS has already been installed on over one billion devices, signaling strong domestic support and adoption.
The Financial Times noted, “It is the latest demonstration that U.S. sanctions designed to enfeeble the company have instead cemented Huawei’s status as a technological juggernaut.” Huawei’s recent financial reports bolster this view, with a 30 percent surge in sales in the first nine months of this year compared to the previous year.
Washington’s technological blockades and economic measures were intended to curb China’s influence in the global supply chain. Instead, they have prompted Chinese companies like Huawei to accelerate their research and development efforts, leading to breakthroughs in AI chips and operating systems.
The upcoming release of the Mate70 series is more than just a product launch; it’s a statement of technological independence and innovation in the face of external pressures. As global markets watch closely, Huawei’s advancements may signal a shift in the balance of technological power.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
