206: Chapter 206 Chip Sanctions, India's Lament

"First, a Presidential Decree: Effective immediately, the Shuguang Technology Group of the Greater Myanmar Federation and all its affiliates are permanently prohibited from directly or indirectly exporting or transferring any models of the 'Longteng' series chips, related technologies, manufacturing equipment, and software to any entity or individual within India. All active contracts are terminated, and we will pay the liquidated damages! Furthermore, any products using 'Longteng' chips are prohibited from flowing into the Indian market through third parties. The Ministry of Commerce shall immediately draft a detailed technical blockade list and accountability mechanism."

A soft gasp echoed through the meeting room. This strike was devastating! The "Longteng" chips, especially the high-performance computing cards, had become "divine artifacts" coveted by global AI researchers, high-end manufacturers, scientific computing teams, and even top-tier gamers. India's IT industry, its nascent AI research, high-end manufacturing, and even the consumer electronics demand of the wealthy class would all suffer a cliff-like collapse.

"Second," Zhang Cheng's finger traced the transport lines on the map connecting China and Myanmar, "notify our brothers in the Dragon Kingdom that the feasibility study for the cross-border highway upgrades and railway connection projects connecting Dian Province with the northeastern states of India via northern Myanmar is suspended indefinitely due to 'national security and technical reasons.' As for when they will resume, that depends on India's 'sincerity'."

This effectively severed India's strategic vision of improving transportation and promoting economic integration in its remote northeastern states through Myanmar.

"Third," Zhang Cheng turned his gaze to the global mineral resource distribution map, "our rare earth refineries are to operate at full capacity! Drop the prices of high-quality rare earth products on the international market strategically! The cuts must be significant, especially for the categories that India also exports! I want their rare earth mines to turn from 'strategic resources' into 'money-losing burdens'!"

A series of combination punches, each landing solidly on the weak points or key demands of the Indian economy.

After the sanction orders and project suspension notices were issued, the effects were immediate, and the backlash was far more severe than New Delhi had imagined.

First, a wave of wailing rose from India's domestic IT and technology industries.

Many tech companies in Bangalore, particularly startups and R&D centers focused on AI, big data analysis, and cloud computing, were paralyzed overnight. They relied heavily on imported high-end GPUs for model training and data processing. The embargo on "Longteng" chips meant they either had to use Nvidia alternatives—which were several times more expensive and lagged in performance (and were limited by production capacity)—or let their projects stall.

"This is simply a disaster!" the CEO of an AI startup nearly broke down during a phone interview with The Economic Times of India. "Our Series B funding just came through, and our model training was at a critical stage. Now, our core computing power is gone! If our competitors get 'Longteng' cards through other channels, we'll be completely left behind!"

CIOs of major companies held emergency meetings to assess the risks, and the conclusions were desperate: no alternative solutions with comparable cost-performance ratios could be found in the short term. Indian branches of some multinational corporations began applying to their headquarters to move parts of their high-compute demand operations out of India.

Next, high-end manufacturing and scientific research were hit.

Automotive design, aviation simulation, climate modeling, drug discovery... every field requiring powerful computing felt the chill. With limited budgets, the embargo on "Longteng" cards forced many projects to slow down or saw their costs skyrocket.

What gave the Indian authorities even more of a headache was the surging resentment among the public, especially the youth.

Gamers and e-sports enthusiasts were the first to explode. They had just experienced the ultimate gaming performance brought by "Longteng" graphics cards, only to be told they could no longer buy them? They were forced to use "alternatives" that were more expensive and likely performed worse?

On social media, hashtags like #WeWantLongTeng and #GovtKillsGaming quickly trended. A large number of young netizens left angry comments under related news:

"The government is incompetent in diplomacy, yet we ordinary people have to pay for their stupidity?"

"I saved money for half a year just to upgrade to a 'Longteng-80,' and now you're telling me I can't buy it? Just because of the politicians' damn 'dignity'?"

"Look at what graphics cards ordinary people in Myanmar are using now, then look at us! Is this the treatment of a 'world power'?"

In large cities like Mumbai and Delhi, small-scale protests by young gamers even broke out, with people holding signs saying "Technology is Not a Crime" and "We Want Gaming Freedom." Although small in scale, this dissatisfaction with government policy triggered by "entertainment needs" was an extremely dangerous social emotional signal.

International public opinion also began to shift.

European tech media were blunt: "India trying to sanction a country that holds cutting-edge chip technology using traditional economic means is like challenging a lightsaber with a wooden stick." Lobbying groups for some multinational corporations began privately pressuring their own governments not to follow India's "irrational behavior" to avoid affecting their access to critical "Longteng" chips.

However, Zhang Cheng's counterattack was not over. Or rather, the most brilliant and heart-wrenching step was just beginning.

A week later, Shuguang Technology Group held a special online press conference.

The spokesperson did not introduce any new products but instead announced in a tone full of "regret" and "humanitarian concern":

"We deeply understand that technology should not be a victim of political confrontation, nor should it hinder the rights of ordinary people to pursue a better digital life. Despite facing unjust bans, Shuguang Technology always believes that the light of technology should shine on everyone."

"Therefore, with special approval from President Zhang Cheng, Shuguang Technology Group will launch a 'Digital Bridge' humanitarian project for the ordinary people of India."

"Through trusted international charitable organizations and logistics channels, we will donate 100,000 specially customized 'Longteng-50 Charity Edition' graphics cards for free to major urban slums, remote village schools, and public educational institutions within India."

An image and brief parameters of the "Longteng-50 Charity Edition" appeared on the large screen. Although it was the entry-level model of the "Longteng" series, its performance was still enough to easily crush any other graphics card at the same price point on the market, even rivaling some older high-end models.

"The performance of this version has been appropriately adjusted to ensure it is used purely for education, basic graphics processing, and reasonable entertainment needs, in line with the purpose of humanitarian aid," the spokesperson continued in an incredibly "sincere" tone. "Each graphics card will come with a simple installation guide in multiple languages (including Hindi, Tamil, etc.) and a software package for basic graphics processing and programming learning."

"At the same time," the spokesperson paused, and a line of bold text appeared on the screen: "We solemnly declare: This batch of graphics cards is free humanitarian aid material. Any form of resale, commercial use, or military-related research is strictly prohibited. We hope this modest gift can help Indian children access cutting-edge technology and ignite their dreams in the digital age."

"Finally, we want to say to the ordinary people of India: We are sorry that due to your government's policies, you are temporarily unable to enjoy more advanced 'Longteng' products. We hope this bit of starlight can illuminate some corners."

"Technology, belongs to all mankind."

The press conference ended.