The US has been taking steps to maintain its lead over Beijing by restricting access to advanced chips, driving China’s innovation engine. Advanced semiconductor chips are pivotal for the next generation of artificial intelligence technologies, which is one reason why the US has discouraged companies like NVIDIA from directly selling to Chinese firms. The story of what Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) has achieved with this new chip showcases Beijing’s resilience and determination to bounce back on the semiconductor stage. As US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo touched down in Beijing on 3 September, Huawei seized the moment to unveil its…