US Investigates China's Access to RISC-V: A New Front in the US-China Chip War

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., led a panel discussion on China's economy and its future. The event was hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. Hill, who serves on the House Intelligence Committee and as vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, highlighted the need to address projections of Chinese economic growth and factors that could affect it. The discussion took place in a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) due to the sensitivity of classified information. Concerns were raised about China's economy, including a sluggish real estate market and high youth unemployment rate. Experts noted that China's economic model is becoming increasingly dysfunctional and its impact on the global economy is a significant concern. The lack of available data and limited access to financial information further complicates understanding China's economic forecast. The International Monetary Fund projected China's economy to grow by 5.4% this year, but experts questioned the accuracy of the forecast. Hill has previously traveled to Japan and South Korea to discuss international security and China's influence.

Robert C. Feenstra, Ph.D., will present “The ‘China Shock’ After 22 Years” at The University of Scranton’s 37th Henry George Lecture. His research indicates that the 'China shock' has had a net positive impact for the U.S. economy [0ab5d5de].

Feenstra's lecture will delve into the effects of the 'China shock' on the U.S. economy after 22 years. The term 'China shock' refers to the economic impact of China's rise as a global manufacturing powerhouse. Feenstra's research suggests that despite concerns about job losses and trade imbalances, the overall effect of the 'China shock' has been positive for the U.S. economy.

Jeffrey Sachs, a world-renowned economics professor, delivered a keynote speech at a forum organized by the China Institute in the U.S. In his speech, Sachs expressed the view that China is not a threat to the U.S. economy and criticized the theory of China's decline. He stated that there is no such thing as China's gains being America's losses and described claims of China's decline as 'ignorant.'

Gary Locke, former U.S. Ambassador to China and U.S. Commerce Secretary, discussed the U.S.-China chip war and the impact on overall U.S.-China relations. He mentioned that there is a lot of domestic unrest in China due to the economy [ffdfe24a].

Richard McGregor, senior fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, discusses the future of China's power and economy. While many economists have predicted a slowdown in the Chinese economy, McGregor argues that China can still reform its economic model. He also notes that the concept of 'peak China' is flawed, as it assumes that China's economic slowdown will lead to a decline in its geopolitical power. McGregor highlights the volatility in Chinese policymaking and the challenges facing the country, such as the property market and high youth unemployment. He also discusses China's influence in Southeast Asia and the potential threats to political stability in China. McGregor concludes by emphasizing the importance of the US-China relationship and the need for the US to stay engaged in the region.

Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President, discusses the implications of recent Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data on the US economy. The US has launched an investigation into cybersecurity risks posed by Chinese vehicles with Wi-Fi connectivity. China's upcoming National People's Congress (NPC) meeting is anticipated to have significant economic policy and reform outcomes. These developments have implications for global trade and economic relations [57afac08].

The Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) has published its 2024 study on Intelligence Innovation, emphasizing the urgent need for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) to reposition itself in response to the escalating technological competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The report advocates for the expansive integration of generative AI technologies within the intelligence cycle. The SCSP study calls for a transformation in how the IC forms and maintains partnerships, moving away from the traditional hub-and-spoke model towards more dynamic, networked alliances. The report proposes the creation of a new public-private partnership model to enhance the IC's access to publicly and commercially available data. The SCSP underscores the importance of the IC enhancing its strategic communications capabilities to navigate the contested digital information domain. The 2024 report serves as a blueprint for the U.S. Intelligence Community to adapt to a rapidly changing technological landscape and maintain its decision advantage in the face of growing global rivalries. [ad26e390]

The U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating the risks of China's access to the RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA) for processors. RISC-V is a fully open standard that is easier to work with than x86 and is a potential threat to U.S. dominance in advanced computing power. U.S. lawmakers have called China's use of RISC-V wrong and dangerous, accusing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of abusing it. RISC-V International has defended the open standard nature of RISC-V and emphasized its global contributions. The Department of Commerce is reviewing potential risks and assessing appropriate actions. The U.S.-China chip war is ongoing, with the U.S. attempting to ban China's access to powerful technologies.