'Baseless smear campaign': China denies spying charge targeting Nvidia CEO
Beijing calls espionage allegations baseless after Nvidia investigates Jensen Huang over affair tied to suspected Chinese intelligence operative.
Quick Look
China's foreign ministry rejected allegations of an espionage operation targeting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, calling the claims baseless smearing amid an independent board investigation into the matter.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Nvidia board launched an investigation into reports that CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by foreign intelligence.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun rejects 'spy narrative' in Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's secret affair probe
China has rejected allegations that it was involved in an espionage operation targeting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, calling the claims baseless and a “smearing”.
"The narrative of a so-called Chinese spy is entirely baseless vilification and smearing.", foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a media briefing, as quoted by AFP.
The denial comes as Nvidia’s board has launched an independent investigation into reports that Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation involving Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed.
US authorities reportedly suspect that she was recruited by China’s Ministry of State Security to gather information about the Nvidia chief and the company.
The allegations have also drawn scrutiny to Megaspeed, which buys Nvidia’s AI chips and has been investigated over suspicions that it helped Beijing gain access to advanced processors restricted from export to China.
Huang recently admitted in a message to Nvidia employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologised to his family and colleagues, without naming the woman involved.
Nvidia’s board said it had no reason to believe that US national security or the company’s secrets had been compromised, but would examine all available information. Huang has backed the investigation and agreed to cooperate.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Nvidia board will complete and publish findings of the independent investigation.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the independent investigation find any security compromise?
- What actions will US authorities take regarding Megaspeed?
