Official: US is “slowing” Chinese technological advance

The export restrictions implemented by the US are effective, a senior official has testified before US Congress. Referring to the 7nm SoC powering the Huawei Mate 60 Pro, Thea Kendler of the Commerce Department said that the “chip inside that phone has a poorer performance than what they had years ago. So our export controls are meaningful in slowing China’s advanced technology acquisition.” She added that the Commerce Department nonetheless shares lawmakers’ concerns about Huawei’s technology demonstration.

The launch of the Mate 60 Pro in August caused quite a stir, as the smartphone was more sophisticated than a Chinese company with restricted access to advanced semiconductor technology was thought to create. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security announced a probe into the Kirin 9000S chip manufactured by Chinese foundry SMIC but has otherwise stayed quiet until Kendler’s remarks.