China has dismissed allegations that a Chinese intelligence operation targeted Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang, describing the reports as unsubstantiated and a smear against Beijing.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks after The New York Times reported that US intelligence officials had assessed Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman linked to Singapore-based data-centre firm Megaspeed, as an intelligence asset who passed information to Beijing.
The report said Alice Huang, who is not related to the Nvidia CEO, had developed a close relationship with Jensen Huang while US authorities were scrutinising Megaspeed over suspicions that advanced Nvidia AI chips could have been diverted to China.
Beijing rejects intelligence allegations
Asked about the report during a regular press briefing, Guo said the allegations were “unsubstantiated” and “nothing but smears against China.”
The New York Times said its account was based on people familiar with classified surveillance and intelligence findings.
The White House, CIA and National Security Agency declined to comment on the report, while Alice Huang did not respond to requests for comment.
Megaspeed said its current leadership was taking the allegations seriously, had hired external lawyers to conduct an internal review and would cooperate with the US government.
Nvidia says no secrets were compromised
Nvidia initially said Jensen Huang’s contacts with Megaspeed executives were part of routine dealings with customers, adding that regional cloud clients receive ordinary business information rather than sensitive trade secrets or national-security material.
The company has since opened an independent investigation into whether its founder and chief executive was the target of a foreign intelligence effort.
Nvidia’s board said an independent-director committee, supported by outside counsel, would oversee the review.
It added that it had no reason to believe US national security or Nvidia secrets had been compromised, while Jensen Huang had agreed to cooperate fully.
Chip controls at centre of dispute
The allegations have emerged amid a deepening technology rivalry between Washington and Beijing, with the United States restricting China’s access to advanced AI chips since 2022.
Megaspeed, a Singapore-based cloud computing firm and Nvidia customer, has faced US scrutiny over concerns that it may have helped Chinese companies gain access to restricted Nvidia technology.
Reuters said it could not independently verify the intelligence allegations against Alice Huang or confirm her current role at the company.
The case has intensified pressure on Nvidia, whose chips are central to the global artificial intelligence boom and the US effort to maintain an edge over China in advanced computing.
