Guangzhou unveils a powerful new supercomputer

A next-generation Chinese-developed supercomputer was publicly presented yesterday in Guangzhou, according to multiple media reports. 

Named Tianhe Xingyi, the new supercomputer was showcased by the National Supercomputer Centre during the 2023 Supercomputing Innovation Application Conference. 

The new computer outclasses one of the top supercomputers currently available, the Tianhe-2, in a range of areas such as storage, CPU and network, says director of the centre, Lu Yutong. 

Specific details about the machine’s capabilities were not provided, however. 

Speaking of the new computer’s potential applications, Lu noted “it will provide strong high-end computing support for cutting-edge scientific technological breakthroughs, strategic engineering construction, and industrial upgrading and transformation.” 

[See more: Shenzhen announces an ambitious AI plan for the Greater Bay Area]

The Greater Bay Area (GBA) has seen its supercomputing sector expand significantly in recent years, with the establishment of a supercomputing network, as well as 15 supercomputing centre sub-branches within the region. 

The network is a collaborative effort between a number of institutions, including the aforementioned Guangzhou Supercomputer Centre, the Macao Chinese Innovation and Technology Development Promotion Association and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. 

In addition to supercomputers, the GBA is working to develop its artificial intelligence (AI) abilities, with Shenzhen initiating a project to construct an AI supercomputing network that will enable the different computer systems of the GBA cities to connect together. 

China currently produces the most supercomputers in the world, with models such as the Sunway TaihuLight. However, the US continues to outrank them in terms of performance. 

—With reporting by Kenny Fong