China Overtakes US To Build World's Fastest Supercomputer, LineShine Tops TOP500 List
China's LineShine beat the US-based El Capitan to become the world's top-ranked supercomputer, showcasing Beijing's push for self-reliance in chip technology. , Technology & Science, Times Now
Technology & ScienceAuthored by:Govind ChoudharyUpdated Jun 23, 2026, 15:51 ISTChina's LineShine beat the US-based El Capitan to become the world's top-ranked supercomputer, showcasing Beijing's push for self-reliance in chip technology. LineShine's Victory Highlights China's Push For Advanced Computing Self-Reliance (Image credit: AI-generated)As nations race to own the best technology in the world, China has regained the number one position on the global supercomputer rankings after its LineShine topped the latest TOP500 list released in June 2026. According to Reuters, this system was developed at the National Supercomputing Centre in Shenzhen and it uses Chinese-designed chips that surpassed the US based El Captain supercomputer. Notably, the rankings come at a time when China and the US are competing for leadership in advanced computing technologies, including the advanced AI models. LineShine Beats US RivalThe TOP500 list gets published twice a year and it ranks the world’s mostpowerful supercomputersusing standardised benchmark tests. Reportedly, the latest LineShine has claimed the first place dethroning the El Captain, which is loathed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the US. Reportedly, the EL Captain is used by the US government for scientific research and maintaining the country’s nuclear weapons stockpile. It is noteworthy that China had not appeared on the TOP500 list for the past three years, making LineShine’s debut and victory particularly notable. China has regularly competed with the United States and Japan for the top position on the TOP500 list before topping submissions in 2023. This halt reportedly came after years of US restrictions targeting China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology. The timing of the release of these rankings could not be better asUS president Donald Trumpsigned an executive order to strengthen America’s position in quantum computing. This order seeks to accelerate research and development in the emerging field as Washington looks to stay head of China in next-generation technologies. Notably, the move highlights the growing competition between the world's two largest economies in areas such as advanced chips, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, and quantum technologies. Both countries are investing heavily in building computing infrastructure that could shape future scientific, military, and commercial capabilities. Govind ChoudharyauthorGovind Choudhary is the Chief Copy Editor for Tech at Times Now with over five years of experience in the media industry. He covers consumer technolog. . . View MoreNewsTechnology & ScienceEnd of Article