Jensen Huang’s ‘spy’ affair helped funnel US$7.5b in Nvidia chips to China, report claims

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang faces growing scrutiny over allegations linking his relationship with a Chinese businesswoman to US$7.5 billion in chip shipments to China. — AFP pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 1:39 PM MYT

BEIJING, Nov 11 — Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang’s relationship with a Chinese businesswoman suspected by US authorities of having links to Beijing’s intelligence services helped facilitate at least US$7.5 billion (RM30.4 billion) in chip shipments to China, according to a report that has intensified scrutiny of the company’s export controls and corporate governance.

US technology news publication The Information reported yesterday, citing two people familiar with Alice Huang, that she had used her connections to Nvidia and its distributors to secure supplies of advanced processors for Chinese companies.

The allegations raise questions about whether Nvidia’s distribution network allowed customers to obtain technology subject to Washington’s restrictions on semiconductor exports to China.

According to Reuters, Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, worked with her husband and sister to establish a network of companies across China and Singapore to acquire Nvidia processors.

Central to the arrangement was Shanghai Century Litong, a Chinese company established in June 2023 that secured preferred cloud partner status with Nvidia four months later, giving it priority access to the chipmaker’s products.

When orders involving export-restricted processors stalled, Alice Huang allegedly drew on her industry connections to obtain supplies.

The network reportedly facilitated shipments of approximately 240,000 H100, H200 and A100 chips to China, some of which ultimately served technology groups Alibaba and Tencent, as well as smaller Chinese artificial intelligence laboratories.

The reported shipments have added to concerns about the effectiveness of US export controls, introduced to limit China’s access to advanced semiconductors capable of powering sophisticated AI systems.

Singapore-based cloud computing company Megaspeed International, in which Alice Huang became the controlling shareholder, has also attracted scrutiny.

The Financial Times reported that several US government agencies had sought to add Megaspeed to Washington’s trade blacklist over national security concerns, but the Commerce Department had delayed the process.

The reasons for the delay remain unclear.

Reuters said it could not independently verify the reports. China’s foreign ministry has rejected allegations that Alice Huang was involved in espionage as “groundless”.

Nvidia has said its board has no reason to believe US national security or company secrets were compromised.

The allegations have nevertheless prompted calls for greater oversight of the company and its leadership.

Republican Senator Kevin Cramer has urged Huang to resign, citing concerns about potential foreign intelligence exploitation.

“The potential for extortion is so tremendous that something as sensitive as Nvidia chips, I just think he’s got to go,” Cramer told Politico.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has meanwhile called for tighter restrictions on semiconductor exports to China.

Nvidia’s independent directors have appointed outside legal counsel to investigate the matter, while the FBI is separately examining whether Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.

Huang, 63, has acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife but has not disclosed details of the relationship.

The controversy has also unsettled investors. Nvidia lost approximately US$430 billion in market capitalisation over two trading sessions, with shares falling 9.5 per cent since the affair became public, according to Reuters.