China has dismissed allegations that it spied on Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang, describing the claims as baseless smears against the country amid growing tensions ahead of a planned meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rejected the allegations during a press briefing in Beijing on Monday.
“The so-called Chinese spy allegation is unsubstantiated,” Guo said.
He repeated China’s October 30 response to a New York Times report. The newspaper reported that US intelligence officials suspected a Chinese businesswoman linked to Huang of passing information to Beijing.
“It is nothing but smears against China,” Guo added.
How the Allegations Involving Nvidia CEO Began
The controversy centres on Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le. She is a former executive at Megaspeed International, a Singapore-based company accused of breaking US export restrictions and smuggling Nvidia chips into China.
Huang has admitted to an affair following reports linking the woman to an alleged Chinese intelligence operation.
Last week, key Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives requested a briefing with Huang about his dealings with Alice Huang.
Nvidia’s board is also setting up a committee of independent directors to investigate the matter. The committee will work with external legal counsel, according to a statement issued on Sunday.
China-US Summit Raises Stakes
The allegations come days before Xi and Trump meet at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering in Shenzhen, southern China.
Their meeting will focus attention on efforts to maintain a fragile trade truce between the world’s two largest economies.
The dispute could also unsettle the artificial intelligence industry. Nvidia supplies chips that power AI computing equipment and ranks among the world’s most valuable companies.
Trump has defended Huang, describing him as a “fine person” and saying he should remain CEO.
Nvidia CEO’s Position Draws Support
George Chen, partner and chair of digital practice at Washington-based advisory firm The Asia Group, said Nvidia would struggle without its chief executive.
“I don’t think it will serve the best interests of Nvidia shareholders and industry partners either if Jensen suddenly quits tomorrow,” Chen said.
“There is little benefit in rushing to judgment before the facts are known,” he added, urging investors and the technology industry to avoid panic and speculation.
Meanwhile, China’s state-run Global Times accused US media, particularly The New York Times, of spreading a false narrative.
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