Quad Countries Seek ‘Resilient' Tech Supply Chains

Leaders of Quad countries Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. ended their summit in Washington with the commitment to “fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, based on mutual trust and confidence,” said the White House Friday. Design, development, governance and use of technology “should be an equitable and inclusive process that neither involves nor results in unfair discriminatory action,” it said. “Technology should not be misused or abused for malicious activities such as authoritarian surveillance and oppression, for terrorist purposes, or to disseminate disinformation.” The countries agree that “resilient, diverse, and secure technology supply chains” for hardware, software and services “are vital to our shared national interests,” it said. “Close cooperation on supply chains with allies and partners who share our values will enhance our security and prosperity, and strengthen our capacity to respond to international disasters and emergencies,” said the statement. “We welcome all nations to join us in pursuit of this shared vision for technologies.” China gave strong indications Monday it won't accept the invitation anytime soon. "Relevant countries should abandon the outdated Cold War zero-sum mentality and ideological bias, stop forming closed and exclusive cliques and do more to promote solidarity and cooperation," said a Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson.