In a recent publication by the Chinese Society of Computer Science, the country revealed its list of the 100 most powerful supercomputers. However, despite China’s known development of exascale systems, none of these advanced machines appeared on the list. This absence has sparked speculation, with some suggesting that China may be intentionally downplaying its technological advancements amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly with the United States.
China’s Top Supercomputers in 2024
1. China’s Most Powerful Supercomputer
The highest-performing supercomputer in China, according to the latest list, boasts a remarkable Linpack performance of 487.94 petaflops. This figure positions it as the fifth most powerful supercomputer globally, surpassing systems like Italy’s HPC6 and Japan’s Fugaku, based on the most recent Top500 ranking. This machine, a heterogeneous system with a staggering 15,974,400 cores, was installed in 2023 at an undisclosed Supercomputing Center.
2. Second and Third Place Systems
The second and third most powerful systems on the list are also heterogeneous, with Linpack scores of 208.26 petaflops and 125.04 petaflops, respectively. Both systems are reportedly hosted by a network company, though it is unclear whether one company operates both. These systems highlight China’s focus on large-scale, multi-core architectures.
3. Energy-Efficient Systems
The Sunway TaihuLight system, known for its energy efficiency, ranks fourth on the list with a Linpack score of 93.015 petaflops. Hosted at the National Supercomputing Center in Wuxi, it remains one of China’s most significant technological achievements in supercomputing. This system previously held the title of the world’s fastest supercomputer from 2016 to 2018, underscoring its enduring performance.
4. Tianhe-2A and Other Notable Systems
The Tianhe-2A system, which first went online in 2017, maintains its position in the top five with a Linpack performance of 61.445 petaflops. Installed at the National Supercomputing Center in Guangzhou, Tianhe-2A contains 427,008 cores and continues to be a significant player in China’s supercomputing landscape.
Decline in Chinese Submissions to Top500 List
China has been notably absent from new entries in the global Top500 list, contributing fewer systems over recent years. In the November 2024 edition of the list, China has 63 supercomputers, a decline from 134 in June 2023. The current trend suggests that China may be deliberately avoiding the global spotlight for its cutting-edge supercomputers to mitigate the impact of international sanctions, particularly those imposed by the US.
Exascale Systems in China: Where Are They?
China is widely believed to have developed the world’s first exascale supercomputer in 2021, followed by a second machine soon after. The Sunway OceanLight is estimated to achieve a peak performance of 1.3 exaflops (1.05 exaflops sustained), while the Tianhe-3 is capable of 1.7 exaflops peak/1.3 exaflops sustained. Additionally, reports suggest that China may have launched a third exascale system in 2023 and has plans for up to ten more systems in development.
Despite this, none of these exascale systems were featured in the 2024 list, raising questions about China’s willingness to disclose its full capabilities. Ongoing US sanctions targeting computing hardware could be limiting China’s ability to showcase its most advanced systems publicly.
Why Exascale Supercomputers Are Missing from the 2024 List
The absence of exascale systems from China’s top 100 supercomputers list could be attributed to a number of factors. The Chinese government may be deliberately avoiding the inclusion of its most powerful machines to reduce the risk of further sanctions or scrutiny. This strategy could be aimed at maintaining a lower profile while still advancing technological capabilities in the realm of supercomputing.
FAQ Section
1. What is the most powerful supercomputer in China as of 2024?
The most powerful supercomputer in China, according to the 2024 list, has a Linpack performance of 487.94 petaflops and is housed at an undisclosed Supercomputing Center.
2. Why are China’s exascale supercomputers not listed in the 2024 rankings?
China’s exascale systems, such as the Sunway OceanLight and Tianhe-3, are not included on the 2024 list, possibly due to strategic decisions to minimize international attention and avoid sanctions.
3. How many supercomputers does China have in the global Top500 list?
As of November 2024, China has 63 supercomputers listed on the global Top500, a decrease from previous years.
4. What is the significance of the Sunway TaihuLight system?
The Sunway TaihuLight system is known for its energy efficiency, achieving 93.015 petaflops. It was ranked the world’s fastest supercomputer from 2016 to 2018.
5. How does the Tianhe-2A compare to other Chinese supercomputers?
The Tianhe-2A, with a Linpack score of 61.445 petaflops, is one of the top systems in China and remains a key player in the country’s supercomputing efforts.
