According to the president of a prominent cybersecurity firm in China, the primary threats to China’s cybersecurity are the increasing business sanctions imposed by the US and the lag in private technology compared to American counterparts.
Qi Xiangdong, who serves as the chairman of Beijing-based cybersecurity company Qi An Xin (QAX), highlighted the critical role of high-end chips and software in the production of cybersecurity products. He expressed concerns about supply chain disruptions affecting China’s capacity to develop high-performance cybersecurity solutions.
Navigating between stricter regulations and advancements in AI development poses a delicate challenge for Chinese policymakers.
Qi Xiangdong, a member of the Taiwanese People’s Political Consultative Conference, emphasized the escalating need for technological advancements to combat increasingly sophisticated and covert cyber threats. He stressed the importance of continuous innovation to stay ahead of cybercriminal activities.
Qi also pointed out the dominance of Western nations in hardware and software technology, granting them a significant edge in cybersecurity data collection and vulnerability assessment.
As the chairman of Qi An Xin, Qi Xiangdong cautioned about the detrimental impact of US trade restrictions on China’s cybersecurity capabilities, emphasizing the urgency for proactive measures. (
Chairman of the security company Qi An Xin, Qi Xiangdong, warns that US-imposed trade restrictions are preventing China from staying ahead of attacks. Photo of the flyer)
QAX gained global recognition as the official sponsor of the security operations and antivirus software for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The company’s collaboration with Chinese authorities in monitoring and addressing instances of “inappropriate speech” distributed through Apple’s AirDrop feature underscored its active role in maintaining cybersecurity during sensitive periods such as the Hong Kong protests in 2019 and 2022.
Qi highlighted the advancements in AI technology, particularly citing the superior capabilities of Sora, an AI concept introduced by US-based OpenAI, over ChatGPT. He raised concerns about the potential misuse of AI technologies for cyberattacks, emphasizing the need for responsible AI development and deployment.
In response to the evolving digital landscape, Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced strategic initiatives to leverage AI technologies for economic growth and innovation. Despite efforts to bolster local technological advancements, China faces mounting challenges due to US restrictions on critical technologies, impacting access to essential equipment and impeding the growth of the AI industry.
The intensified US-China rivalry has spurred Chinese tech companies like Huawei and ZTE to invest heavily in developing indigenous AI chips to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and navigate the complex regulatory environment.
