US Lawmakers Seek Limits On Sales To Chinese Firms Of Software Used To Design Weapons
Umer Jamshaid Published April 16, 2021 | 12:20 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th April, 2021) US lawmakers want tighter restrictions on sales to Chinese companies of design software used to create computer chips for military hardware such as hypersonic weapons, a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Thursday.
"We write to urge you to designate electronic design automation (EDA) tools as a foundational technology and require a license for all end-users under the ownership, influence, or control of the People's Republic of China (PRC)," the letter from House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking Republican Michael McCaul and Senator Tom Cotton said.
The letter said the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center (CARDC), a hypersonic weapons research unit run by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), purchased EDA software sold by Phytium Technology.
Phytium claims to be a civilian company.
However the letter noted that China's Military-Civil Fusion policy seeks to eliminate the distinction between the nation's civilian and defense sectors.
Phytum was among seven Chinese entities sanctioned by Commerce last week for engaging in military modernization efforts following a Washington Post article detailing Phytum's sales of EDA software to CARDC.
"We find it deeply troubling that the Department of Commerce allowed such a critical U.S. technology to be harnessed to design weapons targeting American servicemembers operating in the Indo-Pacific," the lawmakers wrote.
Department of Commerce should immediately designate EDA software as a "Foundational Technology," which would require all US EDA companies to get an export license before exporting any product to China, the letter said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Massive financial, administrative scam unearthed at SCCI
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
FCCI welcomes Iranian president's visit
Chief Commissioner briefs Federal Minister Engr Amir Muqam about Raha Program
Millat Express stop at Bandhi extended
Govt. making all-out efforts to enhance energy mix to provide affordable electri ..
UAE announces $544 million for repairs after record rains
Muhammad Rizwan, Mohammad Irfan Khan ruled out of T20I series against New Zealan ..
PNCA hosts artist talk, workshop on paper cutting
Task Force on cards for operation against illegal housing schemes: DG RDA
Flags, panaflexes removed from roads, streets for beautification of city: Mayor ..
Emergent measures under way to control effects of climate change: governor
More Stories From World
-
UAE announces $544 million for repairs after record rains
2 minutes ago -
Iran president visits Sri Lanka, inaugurates power, irrigation project
34 minutes ago -
Italy fines Amazon over 'recurring' purchase option
49 minutes ago -
Top France court confirms ex-PM's conviction in fake jobs scandal
49 minutes ago -
UBS chairman decries tighter capital rules
52 minutes ago -
Israel says forces carrying out 'offensive action' in south Lebanon
49 minutes ago
-
Spain PM under pressure as wife faces graft probe
1 hour ago -
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Shanghai
1 hour ago -
N. Macedonia starts elections that could decide stalled EU talks
2 hours ago -
Haaland ruled out of Man City's crucial trip to Brighton
2 hours ago -
Four dead as floods wreak havoc in Kenyan capital
2 hours ago -
Thousands in heatwave-hit Bangladesh pray for rain
3 hours ago