China Slams U.S. as “Surveillance Empire” Over Chip Shipment Trackers
China’s state-run media Xinhua criticized the United States on Friday for secretly placing location trackers in shipments of advanced chips at risk of diversion to China, calling the practice indicative of the “instincts of a surveillance empire.” Reuters had reported earlier that U.S. authorities embedded these devices to monitor shipments subject to export restrictions aimed at curbing China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology.
In a commentary titled “America turns chip trade into a surveillance game,” Xinhua accused Washington of running “the world’s most sprawling intelligence apparatus” and treating trade partners as rivals to be undermined. The piece warned that if U.S. chips are perceived as potential surveillance tools, global customers may seek alternatives.
The commentary reflects ongoing tensions between the two tech superpowers. The U.S. government has imposed strict limits on exports of advanced chips and related equipment to China, while Washington and its allies have previously accused China of embedding potential surveillance capabilities in exported products, ranging from telecom gear to vehicles.
In recent moves, China has asked U.S. chipmaker Nvidia to clarify whether its H20 chips contain hidden backdoors and has cautioned domestic tech companies about their use, amid heightened scrutiny of foreign technology for security risks.
