--- title: "What is the future for Hong Kong tech companies after the U.S. bans key software exports? | Fang Baoqiao" type: "News" locale: "zh-HK" url: "https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/261785193.md" description: "The United States has expanded its technology export restrictions to China, prohibiting the export of \"critical software,\" which affects the development of technology companies in Hong Kong. The ban will cover underlying operating systems, cloud computing platforms, database management systems, etc., posing operational risks to Hong Kong companies that rely on American software, especially chip design and artificial intelligence companies. Companies need to immediately assess their technological dependencies and prepare to respond to potential impacts" datetime: "2025-10-20T00:05:29.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/261785193.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/261785193.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/261785193.md) --- > 支持的語言: [简体中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/261785193.md) | [English](https://longbridge.com/en/news/261785193.md) # What is the future for Hong Kong tech companies after the U.S. bans key software exports? | Fang Baoqiao The China-U.S. technology war has once again intensified. In addition to considering continued tariff increases, the Trump administration is also set to expand technology export restrictions to China, with the latest focus on banning the export of "critical software." Although the details of the ban have not yet been announced, according to the definition framework of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), this move is undoubtedly another significant blow to China's technological development following the chip ban. For Hong Kong, which is striving to develop into an international innovation and technology hub, this is definitely a warning that cannot be ignored. Looking back, the U.S. technology export policy towards Hong Kong has gradually tightened. Since 2020, the U.S. government has revoked Hong Kong's special status, aligning its sensitive technology export policies with those of mainland China. This means that any technology restrictions targeting China will almost automatically apply to Hong Kong. Once the "critical software" ban is implemented, the impact will be immediate. What exactly does "critical software" encompass? According to NIST's guidelines, the scope includes underlying operating systems, cloud computing platforms, database management systems, as well as electronic design automation (EDA) software and artificial intelligence (AI) model development tools required for chip design. These software are the lifeblood of modern technology companies, and are indispensable cornerstones for Hong Kong enterprises engaged in semiconductor design, AI application development, fintech, and cloud services. It is foreseeable that once U.S. suppliers are prohibited from exporting such software to Hong Kong, local companies will face a significant risk of operational disruption. The first to be affected will be chip design companies that heavily rely on U.S. EDA software, whose R&D efforts will come to a standstill. Secondly, if AI companies cannot use the latest training platforms and algorithm updates, their pace of innovation will be forced to slow down, and their competitiveness will decline. In the long run, this will not only impact individual companies but may also shake the foundation of the entire innovation and technology ecosystem, leading multinational companies to reassess their decisions to establish R&D centers in Hong Kong, and even consider relocating to other regions such as Singapore. In the face of such severe challenges, Hong Kong enterprises can no longer adopt a wait-and-see attitude. First, companies must immediately conduct a comprehensive "technology check," inventorying the software and technology sources their businesses rely on, and assessing the impact of potential supply disruptions. Secondly, they should actively seek and test alternative solutions, exploring supply chains from China, Europe, Japan, or other regions to reduce dependence on a single country's technology. Although independent research and development cannot be achieved overnight, in the long run, supporting and adopting domestically developed software products will be an important strategy for ensuring business continuity. The U.S. "critical software" ban can be seen as an imminent crisis. Hong Kong, which has historically served as a bridge between Eastern and Western technologies, is now placed on the front lines of the technology battlefield. Local enterprises must prepare in advance, accelerating the diversification and independence of their technology supply chains in order to find a way out in this increasingly fierce technological competition ### 相關股票 - [Direxion Semicon Bear 3X (SOXS.US)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/quote/SOXS.US.md) ## 相關資訊與研究 - [Musk's Terafab: A One-Man Challenge to the AI Chip Giant](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281386618.md) - [Why investors are so eager for the SpaceX IPO countdown](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281653114.md) - [EssilorLuxottica Deepens Myopia Insights With New Teen Behavior Study](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281652464.md) - [How to interpret the wild swings in the jobs numbers](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281681321.md) - [Orient Securities Keeps Their Buy Rating on Geely Automobile Holdings (GELYF)](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281674321.md)