Chinese national behind 911 S5 botnet arrested in Singapore

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest of a Chinese national, Wang Yunhe, in an international operation targeting cybercrime. Wang, aged 35, was apprehended in Singapore on 24 May for allegedly creating and using malware responsible for cyberattacks, large-scale fraud, and child exploitation. This arrest comes on the heels of a similar high-profile sweep last August, involving 10 Chinese citizens charged with laundering over $2 billion through Singapore.

According to the US Treasury Department, the botnet, known as ‘911 S5,’ was used by criminals to compromise personal devices to further conduct identity theft, financial fraud, and child exploitation.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has now imposed sanctions on three Chinese nationals behind the platform—Yunhe Wang, Jingping Liu, and Yanni Zheng—and on three entities owned or controlled by Yunhe Wang. FBI Director Christopher Wray described the ‘911 S5’ botnet as likely the world’s largest, comprising malware-infected computers in nearly 200 countries.

According to the DOJ, Wang and unnamed accomplices developed and distributed malware that compromised millions of residential Windows computers worldwide. From 2018 to July 2022, Wang accrued $99 million from selling access to hijacked IP addresses, facilitating cybercriminals in bypassing financial fraud detection systems. These criminals committed fraud, resulting in losses exceeding $5.9 billion, including 560,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.

Wang used the illicitly obtained proceeds to acquire assets globally, spanning properties in the USA, Saint Kitts and Nevis, China, Singapore, Thailand, and the UAE. His possessions included luxury sports cars, numerous bank accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, luxury watches, and 21 properties across multiple countries. Matthew S. Axelrod from the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security described the case as resembling a screenplay, highlighting the extensive criminal enterprise and lavish expenditures financed by nearly $100 million in profits.

The operation is a collaborative effort led by law enforcement agencies from the US, Singapore, Thailand, and Germany. It underscores the international cooperation required to combat cybercrime effectively.

The FBI has published information at fbi.gov/911S5 to help identify and remove 911 S5’s VPN applications from infected devices.

China’s AI chipmakers closing gap on global leaders

China’s domestic AI chipmakers are rapidly closing the gap on international leaders, according to Xu Bing, co-founder of SenseTime Group Inc. Despite the significant lag in computational power compared to the US, China possesses the talent and data necessary to advance in the AI field, Xu stated during an interview at the UBS Asian Investment Conference in Hong Kong. SenseTime, a leading AI company in China, faces challenges due to US sanctions that restrict access to advanced AI technology, such as Nvidia’s accelerators.

The US trade controls have spurred the development of domestic alternatives from companies like Huawei Technologies and Shanghai Biren Technology, both also affected by US restrictions. Xu emphasised that although Asia faces a considerable shortfall in computational resources, the region is abundant in talent and data. He noted that China’s AI chip industry is catching up quickly, with SenseTime collaborating with local semiconductor firms to enhance their computing capabilities.

While the exact gap between Chinese and US AI technology is uncertain, estimated between one to three years, Xu is optimistic that this disadvantage in computing power will be temporary. He believes that, over time, the disparity in computing resources will diminish, viewing computing power as a commodity China will eventually acquire in sufficient quantity. Notable Chinese companies making strides in AI chips include Moore Threads Intelligent Beijing Co., Huawei, and other key players like Baidu Inc. and Naura Technology Group Ltd, which have received government attention and support.

China establishes third state-backed fund to boost semiconductor industry

China has established its third state-backed investment fund to bolster the semiconductor industry, with a registered capital of 344 billion yuan ($47.5 billion). The initiative underscores President Xi Jinping’s push for self-sufficiency in semiconductors. The matter has become more urgent following US export controls aimed at limiting China’s access to advanced chip technology due to security concerns. The new fund, the largest yet from the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, was officially set up on 24 May and registered under Beijing’s market regulation authorities.

The fund’s major stakeholders include China’s finance ministry, which holds a 17% stake, and China Development Bank Capital, with a 10.5% stake. Seventeen other investors, including five major Chinese banks, also contribute to the fund, each adding around 6% to the total capital. The substantial investment has already sparked a positive response in the market, with the CES CN Semiconductor Index rising by over 3%, marking its largest one-day gain in over a month.

Why does it matter?

The Big Fund, as it is known, has been pivotal in supporting leading chip manufacturers in China, such as Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation and Hua Hong Semiconductor, as well as emerging players, such as Yangtze Memory Technologies. The third phase will emphasise investments in chip manufacturing equipment, a strategic move to enhance China’s production capabilities. The ongoing effort highlights China’s determined bid to overcome technological barriers and secure its position in the global semiconductor landscape.

Nvidia’s latest AI chip struggles in China market

Nvidia’s latest AI chip, the H20, tailored for the Chinese market, is struggling with weak demand, leading to prices dropping below that of rival Huawei’s Ascend 910B chip. Despite being Nvidia’s most advanced product available in China, the H20’s abundant supply suggests it needs to gain more traction. This comes as Nvidia faces stiff competition and US sanctions that have significantly impacted its business in China, a market that previously contributed 17% to its fiscal 2024 revenue.

The competitive pressure and sanctions create uncertainty for Nvidia’s prospects in China. Senior executives acknowledged a substantial drop in their data centre revenue from China since new export control restrictions were implemented. Market analyst Hebe Chen noted that Nvidia is trying to balance maintaining its presence in China while navigating US tensions and preparing for potentially worse outcomes in the long term.

Huawei’s aggressive expansion and increased shipments of its Ascend 910B chip, which reportedly outperforms the H20 in some metrics, further challenge Nvidia. While Nvidia’s H20 has seen some orders from major Chinese tech firms like Alibaba, its success is constrained by Beijing’s preference for domestically produced chips. With a significant price discrepancy between Nvidia’s H20 and Huawei’s 910B, Nvidia’s margin squeeze is apparent as it competes in a market increasingly dominated by local players.

iFlytek slashes AI model prices amid tech price war in China

AI firm iFlytek has entered a price war among China’s top tech companies by significantly reducing the cost of its ‘Spark’ large-language model (LLM). iFlytek’s move follows recent price cuts by Alibaba, Baidu, and Bytedance for their own LLMs used in generative AI products. Spark Lite, launched last September, is now free for public use, while Spark Pro and Max versions are priced at just 0.21 yuan (less than 3 cents) per 10,000 tokens, which is five times cheaper than competitors.

iFlytek claims that Spark surpasses ChatGPT 3.5 in Chinese language tasks and performs comparably in English. The Hefei-based company, renowned for its voice recognition technology, highlighted that Spark’s pricing allows significant cost savings. For instance, Spark Max can generate the entirety of Yu Hua’s novel ‘To Live’ for just 2.1 yuan ($0.29).

State-owned China Mobile, holding a 10% stake in iFlytek, is its largest shareholder. Strategic pricing aims to make advanced AI technology more accessible to the public while challenging the market dominance of other tech giants.

Price war escalates in China as Alibaba and Baidu cut AI costs

On Tuesday, Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Baidu significantly reduced prices for their large-language models (LLMs), intensifying a price war in the cloud computing sector. Alibaba’s cloud unit announced cuts of up to 97% on its Tongyi Qwen models, with the Qwen-Long model now costing only 0.0005 yuan per 1,000 tokens, down from 0.02 yuan. Baidu quickly followed, making its Ernie Speed and Ernie Lite models free for all business users.

The price reduction comes amid an ongoing price war in China’s cloud computing industry, with Alibaba and Tencent already lowering prices for their cloud services. Cloud vendors in China have increasingly relied on AI chatbot services to boost sales, spurred by the popularity of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The competition has now extended to the LLMs powering these chatbots, potentially impacting profit margins.

Other companies have also joined the fray. Bytedance recently slashed the prices of its Doubao LLMs by 99.3% below the industry average for business users. Chinese startup Moonshot introduced a tipping feature for prioritising chatbot use, targeting both business and individual users. Baidu was the first in China to charge consumers for its LLM products, with its Ernie 4 model costing 59 yuan per month.

Microsoft offers relocation to AI employees in China amidst US-China tech tensions

Microsoft is offering its China-based employees working in AI the opportunity to relocate to overseas locations such as the US, Australia, and Ireland, according to sources familiar with the matter. The offer extends to Azure cloud computing team employees, who were notified earlier this week and have until 7 June to decide. Those who opt not to relocate can remain with the China team, although Microsoft has halted new hiring in China, eliminating job openings.

The relocation program affects approximately 700 to 800 people, primarily those engaged in machine learning. Microsoft has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou but has not responded to requests for comment regarding the relocation offer. Last year, Microsoft relocated some of its top AI researchers from China to a new research lab in Vancouver, Canada, as part of its broader AI strategy.

Why does it matter?

The offer to the employees comes amidst escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and China, which have increasingly impacted corporate decisions. At a bilateral meeting in Geneva, US officials expressed concerns about the misuse of AI, particularly by China. The Biden administration is considering new restrictions on exporting proprietary AI models to China, reflecting growing scrutiny over technology transfer.

Despite these tensions, Microsoft remains committed to its AI services in mainland China and Hong Kong, distinguishing itself from competitors like OpenAI and Google, which have restricted access to their AI products in these regions. The potential restrictions on AI software exports would add to existing limitations on Chinese firms’ access to advanced semiconductor technology, further complicating US-China relations in the tech sector.

US and China to meet in Geneva for AI risk discussions

The US and China are set to meet in Geneva on Tuesday to discuss advanced AI, with US officials underscoring that Washington’s policies would not be open for negotiation, despite exploring ways to address risks associated with the technology. President Joe Biden’s administration aims to engage China on various fronts to minimise miscommunication between the two countries, with AI being a focal point. Earlier discussions between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing laid the groundwork for these formal bilateral talks on AI.

Highlighting concerns over China’s rapid deployment of AI across multiple sectors, including civilian, military, and national security, US officials stress the need for direct communication to address security implications for the US and its allies. However, they clarified that talks with Beijing do not involve promoting technical collaboration or negotiating technology protection policies.

Despite competing interests in shaping AI rules, both the US and China hope to explore areas where mutual agreements can enhance global safety. Tarun Chhabra from the US National Security Council and Seth Center from the State Department will lead the discussions with Chinese officials, focusing on critical AI risks. Meanwhile, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer intends to issue recommendations on addressing AI risks in the coming weeks, emphasising the need for proactive legislation to navigate the competitive landscape with China and regulate AI advancements effectively.

Tech titans clash: Inside the US-China battle for chip market dominance

Competition between the USA and China in chip trade and production is growing on a daily basis to the extent that it is considered a chip war between these two superpowers.

In this analysis, we will review all the facts and steps that Beijing and Washington have taken so far to position themselves better in the chip market. This will help us see the whole picture better and allow us to predict what will come next more easily.

China

China’s first significant step in strengthening its position in the semiconductor technology market happened in 2014 when a broader national security strategy was introduced. The main task of the strategy, active to this day, is to position China as the world’s leading science and technology superpower, which is part of its goal to establish itself as a global superpower. Chinese leaders realised that semiconductor microchips are crucial to emerging civilian and military technologies and for achieving their long-term geopolitical goals and potentially surpassing the USA as the dominant superpower.

China has made significant progress in technological advancements that have outpaced the forecasts from Western intelligence and industry analyses. For example, the military-civil fusion programme aims to integrate civilian technologies with military capabilities and to blur the lines between civilian and military applications.

Part of the broader national security strategy is a tendency to reduce dependence on Western technologies and to reach the point where they can rely on themselves in critical sectors like semiconductors. That’s precisely why Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, called for increased technological autonomy to counter Western influence and strengthen China’s global position. They have also invested heavily in its semiconductor industry while setting ambitious targets to increase chip self-reliance. But, some targets are proving to be somewhat challenging, such as reaching 70% self-reliance by 2025.

However, those efforts have been bolstered even more by the constant pressure of the USA in the form of increasing trade restrictions and policies that limit Chinese technological investments and exports. Semiconductor microchips are a focal point in Beijing’s economic security strategies. As expected, the conflict over microchips with the USA did not go without countermeasures. For example, China accelerated its efforts to remove foreign-manufactured chips, especially those made in the USA, and set a deadline for domestic telecommunications companies to do so by 2027. That move could particularly hit American chipmakers such as Intel and AMD and inflict significant financial damage to the US economy.

China also found a way to bypass Washington’s prohibition of Nvidia’s high-end AI processor sales to China. Instead of buying directly from Nvidia, Chinese universities and research institutions acquired the processors through resellers. There was no lack of open criticism either, as officials in Beijing criticised the USA for tightening trade rules. They emphasised that this move raises barriers and introduces uncertainty to the global chip sector. China is showing clear signs that they will not give up the fight, but it all depends on the speed of their technological progress.

US

As for the USA, when President Biden took office in 2021, concerns about China’s accelerating technological progress were already very much present. Those concerns were mainly focused on the field of AI. Many feared that China could overtake the US in semiconductor technology, which would also threaten the dominance of the West over the East in technology.

This is precisely why the EU and the USA began emphasising economic security in the foreground, thus making a turn from past policies when they promoted globalisation and trade liberalisation. This was also triggered by alleged reports that claimed China acquired Western technologies through joint ventures and projects and caused disruptions in supply chains for crucial materials and equipment.

However, the most significant turning point in American politics regarding semiconductor microchip manufacturing was the introduction of the CHIPS Act in August 2022. The primary purpose of the CHIPS Act was to boost the domestic semiconductor manufacturing process and protect it from potential sabotage. It also included the tendency to reduce US dependency on imports, especially from China.

Furthermore, Washington implemented a series of sanctions and export controls to protect its intellectual property and national security interests. The sanctions included restrictions on exporting the equipment required to produce advanced chips to China, emphasising chips lower than 16/14 nm.

The next step the USA took was to strengthen some of its alliances. They did this primarily with the Netherlands and Japan, which enhanced export controls on high-performance semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Also, to further isolate China, the White House proposed the Chip 4 Alliance with Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, aiming to bolster the resilience of East Asia’s semiconductor supply chain.

Taiwan plays a vital role in this US-China conflict because it produces a significant share of the world’s most advanced chips. Its technological leadership, supplier diversity, and resilience made it a cornerstone in efforts to strengthen the semiconductor supply chain. Both Beijing and Washington want to increase their influence in Taiwan to better take advantage of the breadth of Taiwan’s chip production.

What can we expect?

The rivalry between China and the USA in this field started during Donald Trump’s presidency and has continued under President Joe Biden. It reflects a rare bipartisan consensus in the US Congress to challenge China’s technological ambition. On the other hand, for China, the position of a global leader is a matter of national pride, which is omnipresent in President Xi Jinping’s leadership.

The expanded tech war manifests in various arenas, with the most notable ones being chipmaking and green technology. Chipmaking is crucial for information processing, while green technology is becoming increasingly important for the global economy. Both China and the USA are vying for dominance in these sectors.

The Economist stated in its article titled ‘The tech wars are about to enter a fiery new phase’ that regardless of the outcome of future elections in the USA, the next president is likely to continue challenging China’s technological advancements. This echoes the joint effort in Washington to confront China’s growing influence in advanced technologies.

The Economist added that heightened tensions and a more aggressive US approach under a future administration are also possible. This could involve expanding export controls and sanctions beyond companies like Huawei to other Chinese tech firms. Such actions might provoke retaliatory measures from China, further escalating the conflict.

The Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC, which has significant investments in China, could be pressured by the US government to limit its operations there. That could also happen with other foreign companies that do business in China and get caught in the crossfire of this conflict.

Despite winning over some allies, the USA might need help with other partners, particularly in Europe and Asia. Washington’s approach to technology and China could affect its relationship with some allies since there is a difference in priorities, which could strain alliances and potentially complicate efforts to form a united front against China’s technological ambition.

This clash between the two great powers will undoubtedly leave its mark on the world economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the elimination of high-tech trade between the two countries could cost as much as $1 trillion annually, equivalent to 1.2% of the global GDP. It is in the general interest to resolve this conflict as soon as possible, although everything indicates that it will not happen very soon.

China suspected of massive cyberattack on UK’s Ministry of Defence

According to reports, a significant cyberattack targeted the UK Ministry of Defence, exposing the sensitive details of tens of thousands of armed forces personnel. The breach, believed to have occurred multiple times on a third-party payroll system, prompted the MoD to assess the extent of the hack over three days. While the Ministry has not confirmed any data theft, it reassured service members about their safety amid the incident.

The attack follows earlier attributions of cyberattacks to Chinese ‘state-affiliated actors’ in the UK between 2021 and 2022. In March, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden disclosed sanctions against individuals and a company linked to the Chinese state for alleged malicious cyber activities, including attacks on the Electoral Commission. These actions underscore a growing concern over cyber threats originating from China.

While Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on a European tour, the cyberattack allegations persisted, with French lawmakers targeted by similar incidents urging an official investigation. Despite mounting accusations, French authorities refrained from directly attributing the attacks to China, contrasting with formal accusations made by the US, UK, and New Zealand. As President Xi continues his diplomatic engagements in Europe, with planned visits to Serbia and Hungary, the cybersecurity landscape remains a pressing issue, with nations navigating the complexities of state-sponsored cyber activities.