China Denies Spy Plot Claim Involving Nvidia Boss Jensen Huang

China has rejected allegations of a spy plot to target Nvidia leader Jensen Huang, calling the spying claims unfounded and a smear campaign from Beijing.

Investigation

Mr. Huang admitted to the Nvidia board that he had a personal relationship with a business executive who U.S. intelligence determined was gathering information for Beijing. Nvidia announced that the company would launch an independent investigation into the case, with outside counsel and independent directors overseeing the probe. The board stated that while it has no reason to believe national security or company secrets were compromised, the inquiry will examine all available information. Nvidia also confirmed that Mr. Huang will continue to remain the company leader without interruption during the review.

Apology

In a message to employees, Mr. Huang admitted that he had been unfaithful to his wife and took full responsibility for his actions. He wrote that his actions hurt his family and that there is no excuse for what he did. Reports previously linked him to a woman named Alice Huang, an unrelated former executive of Singapore-based company Megaspeed, who U.S. authorities investigated and concluded to be a Chinese intelligence asset. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun dismissed the allegations on Monday as a smear against China, stating that the so-called Chinese spy allegation is unsubstantiated.

Context

Nvidia stands among the world's most valuable publicly traded companies, playing a central role in supplying advanced computer chips that power modern technology and artificial intelligence systems. U.S. tech restrictions have aimed to limit China's ability to access these advanced technologies, placing major chipmakers at the center of intense geopolitical scrutiny.