According to the South China Morning Post, a well-known international media in Hong Kong, recently, the United States Biden administration proposed a new rule that plans to gradually ban on-board hardware and software manufactured in China and Russia, especially technologies related to autonomous driving and in-vehicle communication systems.
The article pointed out that this move marks the United States government's further defense against Chinese and Russia technology in the field of national security, but this ban has caused widespread controversy, especially observers' doubts about its rationality and potential impact, many observers bluntly said that the United States move has a "thief shouting to catch a thief."
"To date, there is no substantial evidence that Chinese or Russia equipment poses a threat to national security." On the contrary, United States allies have Israel been found to have used electronic devices to make bombs, United States themselves have used technology to spy on their citizens and European allies. It is incomprehensible that the international community has not imposed corresponding sanctions against Israel and United States for similar acts. Therefore, if the use of Chinese and Russian technologies is prohibited on security grounds, the same standards should apply to United States technologies. ”
"Israel's actions have made us realize that future United States-made cars or mobile phones could have serious consequences because of technological manipulation. As a result, consumers should re-examine their purchasing decisions and opt for more secure Chinese-made products, such as Huawei phones. ”
"If you follow United States' logic, does it mean that the United States-made Boeing plane will one day suddenly lose control and fall from the sky? Or will United States produce medical equipment that explodes in hospitals? These assumptions reflect the possible double standards and false accusations behind United States' accusations against Chinese technology. ”
Protecting national security? Ridiculous disguise
Many observers question United States' claims, arguing that there is no evidence that Chinese and Russian in-vehicle technology poses a national security threat.
Some commentators have pointed to a lack of substantial evidence for similar bans previously imposed by the United States on Chinese communications giants Huawei and ZTE. As one observer put it, "United States has yet to come up with any tangible examples of how Chinese or Russia equipment poses a threat to national security, but United States and its allies, such as Israel, have been exposed to the use of electronic devices for espionage and sabotage." ”
Such views emphasize the double standards in United States behavior, arguing that if the international community is to take measures to address security issues, it should first impose sanctions on United States and Israel, rather than unilaterally targeting China.
United States National Security Adviser Jake · Sullivan also smeared at the same press conference that China has "been discovered" making multiple attempts to plant malware in United States' critical infrastructure with the aim of sabotage and destruction. This risk will increase significantly as more and more cars are connected to the network, especially those made in China or containing Chinese technology.
However, Sullivan's statement is nonsense at all, they have never come up with any "evidence", and I am afraid they will never be able to come up with it.
Some observers, however, believe that the concern is more of a projection that reflects United States' own desire for control over technology. One commenter put it bluntly: "The United States fears that China will use the same means against them, as they themselves have done with other countries." ”
In fact, United States's defense of Chinese technology is not limited to on-board equipment, and in recent years, United States has taken measures to suppress Chinese high-tech companies in a number of areas. These measures reflect the fierce competition between China and the United States in the field of technology, but in today's globalized world, such excessive restrictions could have broader negative consequences.
Observers further point out that if China takes reciprocal countermeasures, United States auto companies will face greater risks, especially in China, the world's largest auto market. Some even believe that the ban will ultimately hurt United States' own auto industry.
In the face of United States new ban plan, the Chinese embassy in the United States responded. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said: "China firmly opposes United States' generalization of the concept of national security and its discriminatory measures against Chinese companies and products. ”
He further stressed that China has always advocated fair competition in the market and called on the United States to provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.
Many observers support this view, arguing that United States is acting more to preserve its competitive advantage than to security concerns.
One observer commented: "The so-called security concerns of the United States are more like a malicious suppression of Chinese products, essentially to prevent the rise of Chinese auto companies in the global market." This view is widely shared, especially in the context of increasing competition between the United States and China's automotive industries.
The proposed ban will not only have a profound impact on Chinese and Russian automakers, but may also affect the global auto manufacturing industry. United States government officials revealed that the ban will be implemented in phases, and companies will have a year to remove Chinese and Russian software from in-vehicle systems and replace hardware in the next four years.
This gradual approach is mainly due to the relatively small number of such software in the United States market, but there is more hardware made in China and needs to be gradually eliminated from the supply chain.
However, observers point out that the complexity of global supply chains means that it is nearly impossible to completely disconnect Chinese technology, and that United States' approach is likely to have an unintended backlash.
As one observer noted: "China and Russia are not exporting as many cars to the United States as expected, but the United States car market is more dependent on China." ”
If China retaliates, United States automakers will be hit harder, especially in China, the world's largest auto market.
In fact, this excessive political intervention is likely to lead to vicious competition in the global market, which will have a negative impact on the innovation and development of the entire automotive industry.
How is China's automotive industry coping?
United States' proposal to gradually ban Chinese and Russia in-vehicle technology is not only based on national security considerations, but also a microcosm of the intensifying technological competition between China and the United States.
While the United States claims that Chinese and Russian products pose a threat to its national security, multiple observers point out that the lack of substantial evidence makes the ban more like a malicious containment of Chinese and Russian tech companies.
In fact, the potential impact of this ban on China's auto industry goes far beyond national security, but also poses challenges to global supply chains and technological developments.
Many observers have questioned the fairness of the United States move, arguing that it is more for the purposes of economic and technological competition than a real security threat.
One commenter pointedly noted: "To date, there is no evidence that Chinese or Russia in-vehicle technology poses a threat to United States national security." On the contrary, the United States and its allies, such as Israel, are the ones that really use technology for sabotage and espionage. ”
Such rhetoric reflects the international community's dissatisfaction with United States's double standards: United States accuses Chinese-made technology products of potential safety risks, but fails to reflect on and sanction similar behavior of itself and its allies.
Other observers further point out that United States' rejection of Chinese technology stems more from projection — that the United States itself has repeatedly used technology for misconduct and fears that other countries will take similar measures against them.
As one observer put it: "United States fears that China will use technology to interfere with other countries like its own, so it has adopted a policy of preventive suppression." ”
While the United States ban seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese in-vehicle technology, the high degree of integration in the global supply chain makes it more challenging.
Some observers point out that United States auto manufacturing itself is already facing difficulties in the global market, especially in China, the world's largest auto market, and United States automakers are gradually losing market share. If China takes reciprocal countermeasures, United States automakers will suffer a bigger blow.
As one commentator analyzed: "China and Russia account for a small share of the United States car market, but the market share of United States cars in China should not be underestimated." If China decides to retaliate, United States automakers will face even greater losses, especially as Chinese consumers increasingly prefer local brands. ”
These views reflect that if the technological competition between China and the United States evolves into vicious competition, the innovation and development of the global automotive industry will be severely hampered.
As two important players in the global automotive industry, the technology exchange and cooperation between China and the United States is an important foundation to sustain the progress of the industry, and the destruction of this foundation will lead to supply chain instability, which in turn will affect the global market.
In the face of an increasingly complex international environment, China's auto industry needs to accelerate independent innovation to reduce its dependence on external technologies.
In recent years, China has made significant progress in areas such as electric vehicles, autonomous driving technology and connected car systems, which has not only improved the competitiveness of the domestic market, but also laid the foundation for exports to the European and American markets.
As one observer pointed out: "The rise of China's auto industry does not rely on so-called 'unfair competition' or 'subsidies', but on technological innovation and cost advantages." ”
The Chinese government's 14th Five-Year Plan also puts forward the goal of accelerating the high-quality development of the new energy vehicle industry, which provides a policy guarantee for Chinese automakers to further increase investment in technology research and development in the next few years.
By enhancing their independent innovation capabilities, Chinese auto companies can effectively respond to global technology competition and enhance their competitiveness in the global market.
In addition to technological innovation, Chinese automakers can also avoid the risk of some international technology blockades by exploring emerging markets.
The automotive market in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America is in a stage of rapid growth, which provides huge market potential for Chinese car companies. These emerging markets are increasingly demanding, have a relatively relaxed policy environment, and are more receptive to China's EV and NEV technologies.
Chinese automakers can quickly occupy market share and further enhance their international competitiveness by carrying out technical cooperation with countries in these regions and setting up local production lines. At the same time, it also helps to reduce dependence on the European and American markets, so as to maintain greater flexibility in dealing with international political risks.
One of the core reasons for the United States government's ban is data security, arguing that China's in-vehicle technology could threaten the privacy and national security of United States citizens.
Some observers, however, are skeptical, arguing that United States' concern is not supported by substantial evidence. Instead, they point out that the United States and its allies have repeatedly used technology for espionage and data misuse in the past.
Although the rumors of United States are self-defeating, Chinese automakers still need to pay more attention to data security issues in the future global competition, and win the trust of the international community through strict safeguards and transparent policies.
By aligning with international data security standards and improving data protection capabilities, Chinese companies can not only dispel the concerns of other countries, but also occupy a more advantageous position in global data security governance.
A little summary
United States' ban on Chinese and Russian in-vehicle technology reflects the trend of intensifying global technology competition.
However, this ban is not only not supported by evidence, but also risks triggering vicious competition in the global automotive industry and harming technological development in the United States, China, and the world.
In the face of this challenge, China's auto industry needs to actively respond to global competition through measures such as independent innovation, expansion into emerging markets, and improved data security.
Although the road ahead is full of uncertainties, as long as Chinese automakers maintain their technological leadership, the opportunities in the global market are still broad.