China Blasts US for 'Spy Narrative' to Impose Technology Restrictions

On Thursday, Beijing strongly criticized the United States, alleging that Washington is employing baseless espionage accusations as an excuse to enforce a technological 'blockade' against China. This condemnation follows recent reports suggesting that Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia, was targeted in a Chinese intelligence operation.

During a routine press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning asserted, 'China’s technological progress is driven by independent innovation and open cooperation. The US side should stop fabricating such ‘spy’ narratives as a pretext for imposing a technological blockade.' She emphasized that China's advancements stem from its own innovation and global partnerships.

Jensen Huang, co-founder of Nvidia and instrumental in its rise as the foremost global provider of AI-powering chips, has publicly acknowledged an extramarital relationship, reportedly with Alice Huang. US officials suspect Ms. Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, of having ties to Chinese intelligence services.

For several years, the Nvidia CEO has actively campaigned against restrictions on the export of sophisticated chips to China. Despite opposition from hardliners in both American political parties, who expressed concerns about China's potential dominance in AI technology, former US President Donald Trump last year authorized the sale of Nvidia's H200 chips to the country.

Meanwhile, China has vehemently rejected the allegations regarding espionage involving Huang, labeling them as 'groundless speculation' and 'an attempt to smear China.' This controversy emerges just days before a scheduled meeting next week between former President Trump and President Xi Jinping, set to take place at the APEC gathering in Shenzhen, southern China.