Beijing blocks Chinese entities from using U.S. and Israeli cybersecurity software — VMWare and Fortinet among the affected vendors

Beijing has issued a directive blocking Chinese entities from using U.S. and Israeli cybersecurity software, including vendors like VMWare, Fortinet, and Palo Alto Networks. The move is driven by concerns that these technologies could compromise Chinese data security. The ban is part of China's larger Xinchuang initiative, aiming to replace foreign software with national alternatives by 2027. This decision aligns with China's efforts to reduce reliance on foreign technology, particularly in critical areas like chip-making.