China Blocks Using Intel, AMD Chips in Government Computers, Report Says

FILE - A woman checks her smartphone near an Intel booth promoting Xeon chips during a tech summit in Beijing, Aug. 16, 2023. China will phase out use of microprocessors from Intel and AMD, the Financial Times reported March 24, 2024.

China has introduced guidelines to phase out the use of U.S. microprocessors from Intel and AMD in government personal computers and servers, the Financial Times reported Sunday.

The procurement guidance also seeks to sideline Microsoft's Windows operating system and foreign-made database software in favor of domestic options, the report said.

Government agencies above the township level have been told to include criteria requiring "safe and reliable" processors and operating systems when making purchases, the newspaper said.

China's industry ministry in late December issued a statement with three separate lists of CPUs, operating systems and centralized databases deemed "safe and reliable" for three years after the publication date, all from Chinese companies, Reuters’ checks showed.

The State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the council, China's Cabinet, did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.

Intel and AMD did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment either.

The U.S. has been aiming to boost domestic semiconductor output and reduce reliance on China and Taiwan with the Biden administration's 2022 CHIPS and Science Act.

It is designed to bolster U.S. semiconductors and contains financial aid for domestic production with subsidies for production of advanced chips.