The US tightens export controls on high-bandwidth memory (HBM) due to concerns about China's military use of AI, adding 140 Chinese companies to the Entity List

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has announced that it will strengthen export controls on high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to China, adding 140 Chinese entities, including semiconductor companies and investment firms, to the Entity List .

Commerce Strengthens Export Controls to Restrict China's Capability to Produce Advanced Semiconductors for Military Applications | Bureau of Industry and Security
https://www.bis.gov/press-release/commerce-strengthens-export-controls-restrict-chinas-capability-produce-advanced

The BIS stated, 'China's top leadership views IC chips as critical to national security and military power, and has made the creation of a China-specific, self-sufficient semiconductor ecosystem a priority. The Chinese Communist Party's semiconductor strategy is intended to modernize its military, develop weapons of mass destruction, and promote the suppression of human rights, threatening the national security of the United States and its allies,' and announced that it would strengthen regulations aimed at curbing China's semiconductor development capabilities.

The BIS has strengthened controls on exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, semiconductor manufacturing software, and HBM, with a focus on two points: slowing China's AI research that could change the future of warfare, and hindering the creation of China's own semiconductor ecosystem.

In addition to high-performance computing chips, HBM, which can transfer large amounts of data at high speeds, is also important for AI research and development. BIS has restricted not only American-made HBM but also foreign-made HBM, which may make it difficult to obtain high-performance HBM in China. In addition to the American company Micron , other well-known developers of advanced HBM include Korean companies SK hynix and Samsung .

Samsung's 4th generation high bandwidth memory 'HBM3' chip passes NVIDIA test, to be installed in 'H20' for the Chinese market - GIGAZINE

In addition, BIS registers entities that pose a risk to the national security or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction on the 'Entity List' and restricts exports to registered entities. It has been revealed that 140 Chinese entities have been added to the Entity List and 14 amendments have been made. The added entities include 'semiconductor factories, tool development companies, and investment companies operating to produce high-performance semiconductors at the request of the Chinese government.'

In announcing the tougher controls, Commerce Secretary Gina Lemond commented, 'These tougher controls represent the culmination of the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of working with our allies and partners to cripple China's advanced technology production capabilities. Further strengthening U.S. export controls demonstrates the central role the Department of Commerce plays in America's national security strategy. No Administration is stronger than the Biden-Harris Administration to strategically address China's military modernization through export controls.'

The Entity List published by BIS can be found at the following link:

eCFR :: Supplement No. 4 to Part 744, Title 15 -- Entity List
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-15/subtitle-B/chapter-VII/subchapter-C/part-744/appendix-Supplement No. 4 to Part 744