The United States has really pulled out the big guns, launching an unprecedented "comprehensive containment of China" drama! Not only has it completely cut off the vital lifeline of rare earth exports, but it has also severed the "U.S. technology pass" that global top semiconductor manufacturers rely on, causing the Chinese chip industry to suddenly lose its oxygen and teeter on the brink of collapse.

The United States has unleashed a powerful move, triggering an unprecedented "comprehensive containment of China" storm! The lifeline of rare earth exports has been cut off, and global semiconductor giants have lost their "U.S. technology pass," plunging the Chinese chip industry into an oxygen-deprived crisis. Rare earths are the lifeline of manufacturing, while semiconductors are the heart of technology. This move strikes at the core, leaving people breathless. Faced with such intense pressure, will China surrender or secretly prepare for a counterattack? This game is full of suspense, and the truth behind it is complex and worth deep reflection.

The U.S. action this time was not a spontaneous decision but a carefully planned strategic layout. Rare earths and semiconductors are key nodes in the global supply chain, directly relating to the lifelines of manufacturing and technological competition. By restricting rare earth exports, the U.S. attempts to cut off the resource supply for China's manufacturing sector; meanwhile, by using technological hegemony to cut off the semiconductor supply chain, it aims to strangle the throat of China's high-tech industries. This "two-pronged strategy" involves both economic containment and deeper geopolitical considerations.

Rare earths are known as the "industrial seasoning," widely used in electronics, aerospace, new energy, and other fields. China has about 37% of the world's rare earth reserves and nearly 70% of the production, making it undeniably a major player in rare earths. However, by imposing export restrictions and developing alternative supply chains, the U.S. not only threatens China's international market position in rare earths but may also trigger survival crises for domestic enterprises. In the short term, rare earth price fluctuations will intensify; in the long term, the global rare earth landscape may be reshaped, and China's advantages may face challenges.

Semiconductors are the cornerstone of modern technology, from smartphones to artificial intelligence, all relying on chips. The U.S. controls the high-end segments of the global semiconductor supply chain, including design software, manufacturing equipment, and core technologies. By banning the use of the "U.S. technology pass," giants like TSMC and Samsung have been forced to suspend supplies to Chinese companies, putting the Chinese chip industry into an "oxygen-deprived" situation. Although self-researched chips have made progress, they cannot bridge the huge gap in advanced processes in the short term, affecting multiple industries such as communications and automobiles.

Facing the comprehensive containment by the U.S., China is not without countermeasures. The key lies in how to turn danger into opportunity and seek breakthroughs in adversity. The following directions deserve attention:

Rare earths are China's strategic leverage. In response to the U.S. blockade, China can retaliate by restricting rare earth exports to the U.S. and accelerate resource cooperation with countries along the "Belt and Road," exploring diversified markets. Additionally, increasing investment in R&D for advanced processing and refining of rare earths can effectively cope with external pressures.

The chip supply disruption has exposed China's shortcomings in advanced technology, but it has also accelerated the pace of independent innovation. In recent years, companies like Huawei and SMIC have taken steps toward localization, and the national level has also accelerated industrial chain integration through policy support and financial investment. Although it may take time to match the U.S. technological barriers, long-term persistence may break the blockade.

International Cooperation and Rule Battles

The U.S. containment is not a solid block, as there are divisions within its alliance system. China can use multilateral platforms such as the WTO to challenge the legitimacy of U.S. unilateral sanctions, while deepening technological and trade cooperation with economies such as the EU and ASEAN, diversifying risks, and securing more international support.

The U.S. containment appears fierce, but it also reveals its strategic anxiety. China's economy is vast, with a large domestic market, which has certain resilience. Although the containment brings pain, it may also become a catalyst for China's industrial upgrading. The key is whether it can seize the window period and transform external pressure into internal driving force.

The disruption of the rare earth and semiconductor supply chains will, in the short term, lead to increased costs and reduced competitiveness for some companies, even facing survival crises. Especially in the chip field, the lack of advanced equipment and technology may slow down the deployment of cutting-edge areas such as 5G and artificial intelligence.

From historical experience, external blockades often stimulate China's determination for self-reliance. The nuclear technology breakthrough in the 20th century is a case in point. Now, policies focus on technological independence, and public innovation enthusiasm is high. If China can endure the painful period, it may achieve a qualitative leap in key areas.

Looking back at the Cold War era, the U.S. technical blockade against the Soviet Union was once effective, but it also spurred the opponent to find alternative paths. Today's Sino-U.S. rivalry is far more complex than before, and under the backdrop of globalization, the mutual dependence of supply chains casts doubt on the effectiveness of containment. Can the U.S. successfully contain China? Can China rise by taking advantage of the situation? The answer remains to be seen.

The curtain has been drawn on the U.S.'s "comprehensive containment of China," with the lifeline of rare earths being cut and the chip industry losing its oxygen, presenting unprecedented challenges. However, crises often conceal opportunities, and China's path to breakthrough is highly anticipated. How will the outcome of this century-long game unfold? What do you think? Please share your views in the comment section and explore future possibilities together!

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836420895369216/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.