**China’s Drive for Technological Independence: Huawei’s Qingyun L540 Laptop as an Example**
China’s quest for tech self-reliance has been a longstanding objective, but recent geopolitical issues and trade limitations have expedited the nation’s efforts to domesticate its tech supply chain. A notable instance of this initiative is Huawei’s Qingyun L540 laptop, a device that represents the Chinese government’s Xinchuang (IT application innovation) program, which seeks to substitute foreign-made parts with local options.
### The Emergence of the Qingyun L540: A Representation of Localization
The Qingyun L540 laptop is a product of Huawei’s mission to develop a “secure and trustworthy” device that reduces reliance on international technology. This laptop is powered by a self-developed processor and operates on a homegrown operating system, signifying an important advancement in China’s localization strategy. The device has become popular with government bodies and state-owned enterprises, emerging as a pivotal model in China’s tech self-sufficiency initiative.
For years, China has aimed to establish a domestic tech supply chain, particularly in crucial components like semiconductors. However, advancements were sluggish until the U.S. enacted stricter limits on high-tech exports to China, specifically targeting firms like Huawei. These sanctions have propelled Beijing to elevate its initiatives to curtail dependence on foreign technology.
### Xi Jinping’s Appeal for Technological Autonomy
In a recent address, Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the necessity of enhancing research and development in semiconductors, machine tools, and foundational software. He regarded these technologies as the “technological backbone” for establishing independent and secure supply chains. In response, Chinese authorities have integrated state investment with top-down mandates to favor local technology, especially within the semiconductor domain.
As part of this initiative, state purchasers were directed to eliminate computers utilizing American processors. By March of this year, central agencies shifted from buying laptops powered by Intel and AMD chips to procuring devices equipped with processors from Chinese firms like Huawei, Shanghai Zhaoxin, and Phytium. Huawei’s Qingyun L540 has become the preferred choice among these alternatives.
### Inside the Qingyun L540: An In-Depth Examination
The Qingyun L540 exemplifies China’s advancing capabilities in technological localization. According to an analysis by TechInsights, the laptop consists of several essential components designed and produced by Chinese firms. Here’s an overview of the main components:
1. **Processor**: The laptop utilizes Huawei’s HiSilicon 9006C processor, which was fabricated in Taiwan by TSMC using a 5-nanometer technology. Huawei accumulated these chips prior to U.S. sanctions, imposed in September 2020.
2. **SSD Card**: The 512GB solid-state drive (SSD) is manufactured by SK Hynix, a South Korean entity, potentially at its facility in China. The SSD was packaged post-sanctions, raising concerns about adherence to compliance.
3. **Wi-Fi/Bluetooth**: The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities of the laptop are operated by another HiSilicon chip, further highlighting Huawei’s internal capabilities.
4. **Audio Amplifiers**: The chips for audio amplification are sourced from Shenzhen-based Goodix, a Chinese company that is gaining ground against U.S. competitors like Texas Instruments and Analog Devices.
5. **USB Controller**: Notably, the USB controller chip is obtained from U.S.-based Microchip, indicating that the laptop still depends on foreign technology.
### Moving Beyond Laptops: The Wider Localization Initiative
While the Xinchuang initiative initially concentrated on substituting foreign technology in government and state-owned enterprises, it has since broadened to encompass other sectors. For instance, automobile manufacturers, including significant European firms working in joint ventures with Chinese state enterprises, have been urged to augment their utilization of domestic semiconductors. Some automakers have targets to incorporate Chinese chips into 25% of their total output by the following year, although there are currently no penalties for not achieving this target.
Moreover, foreign telecom equipment producers are being prompted to integrate local semiconductors into their offerings in order to sustain sales in China. State-backed China Telecom, for example, recently issued a tender for 150,000 servers, with two-thirds of the order allocated for servers featuring domestic processors.
### Software Localization: A Chinese Operating System
Alongside hardware, the Qingyun L540 operates on a domestically-developed operating system known as Unity Operating System (UOS), built on Linux. The laptop’s software suite encompasses applications for music playback, photo editing, and document creation, akin to Microsoft Windows. However, all software is crafted by Chinese companies. For instance, the Word-like application is produced by Kingsoft and saves files in the “.wps” format rather than Microsoft’s “.docx.”
