China Rejects Claims It Was Spying on Nvidia

The Chinese government has refuted allegations concerning espionage activities targeting Nvidia, following the company's decision to initiate a probe into CEO Jensen Huang. The investigation was prompted by his acknowledgment of a personal relationship with a woman accused by US authorities of collaborating with Chinese intelligence services.

Xinhua News Agency reported that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed allegations published by The New York Times, which asserted that businesswoman Alice Huang, who had established a close association with the Nvidia executive, was an intelligence operative. “The so-called spy allegation is entirely groundless. It represents nothing more than a smear campaign against China,” Guo remarked during a news briefing.

In a memorandum issued by Nvidia shortly after the allegations surfaced, the CEO acknowledged personal infidelity and expressed regret for his actions. In a subsequent public statement, Nvidia confirmed the commencement of an independent inquiry following reports that founder and CEO Huang had been the subject of a foreign intelligence operation.

A committee comprised of independent directors, supported by external legal counsel, will supervise the investigation. “While the board possesses no current evidence suggesting that national security or proprietary Nvidia secrets were compromised, the inquiry will rigorously evaluate all available data.” The company noted that Huang is fully cooperative and the board retains confidence in the CEO and his management team.

Various media reports have since identified the alleged operative as a former executive at Megaspeed International, a Singapore-based AI firm. Megaspeed operated as an Nvidia client and has been accused of violating U.S. export controls by illicitly transporting Nvidia semiconductors into the Chinese market.