Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that the United States is creating false spy narratives to provide a pretext for a technological blockade, responding to recent accusations that Nvidia’s chief executive was involved with a Chinese intelligence operative.
The controversy centers on Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s 63-year-old chief executive, whose extramarital relationship with a woman identified as Alice Huang, a former executive of Singapore-based Megaspeed, has been portrayed by U.S. officials as a Chinese espionage link.
Megaspeed issued a statement emphasizing its strict adherence to U.S. export-control regulations, describing its compliance obligations as “extremely serious” and pledging to cooperate constructively and transparently with the American government.
Nvidia, the world’s leading supplier of AI-powering chips and valued at $4.2 trillion, has consistently opposed curbs on advanced chip sales to China; President Trump authorized export of the company’s H200 chips last year despite bipartisan concerns about Chinese dominance in artificial intelligence.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the espionage allegations, calling them “entirely groundless, speculative and intended to smear and malign China,” and reiterated that the claims lack factual basis.
The dispute arises ahead of a planned meeting between President Trump and President Xi at the APEC summit in Shenzhen, following a prior agreement in Busan to ease tariffs and lift technology restrictions between the two nations.
Following the revelations, Nvidia launched an internal investigation into Huang’s conduct, leaving his position at the helm of the $4.2 trillion firm uncertain and prompting speculation about the company’s succession strategy.
The episode highlights intensifying U.S.,China friction over technology transfer, export controls, and national-security concerns surrounding artificial-intelligence hardware, raising the prospect of further diplomatic and commercial confrontations.