China Rejects Spy Allegations Involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Calls Claims a Smear Campaign

China has strongly rejected allegations that its intelligence agencies were involved in an alleged espionage operation targeting Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang, describing the claims as unsubstantiated and an attempt to discredit Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun dismissed the allegations on Monday, November 9, 2026, during a press briefing, insisting that the accusations had no credible basis.

The controversy emerged following reports by The New York Times that a Chinese businesswoman identified as Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, was allegedly gathering information for Beijing while maintaining a relationship with the Nvidia chief.

According to the reports, US intelligence officials believed the woman was connected to Chinese intelligence activities. However, the allegations have not been publicly substantiated.

The controversy has prompted Nvidia’s board of directors to launch an independent investigation into reports that its founder and CEO had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.

In a statement released on November 8, the company said an independent committee, supported by external legal advisers, would oversee the investigation. Nvidia also stressed that it had no reason to believe that US national security interests or the company’s confidential information had been compromised. Jensen Huang has expressed support for the investigation and pledged to cooperate fully with the review.

The controversy intensified after Huang acknowledged having an intimate relationship with a business executive, issuing an apology to his wife, family and colleagues. Although he admitted to the relationship, Huang did not publicly identify the woman involved in his statement.

The allegations have raised questions about whether the reported relationship could have exposed sensitive business or strategic information, particularly given Nvidia’s important position in the global artificial intelligence industry. The development comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Beijing over access to advanced semiconductor technology.

Nvidia is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of artificial intelligence chips, which are essential for developing and operating advanced AI systems. The United States has maintained restrictions on the export of certain advanced semiconductor products to China over national security concerns.

Huang has previously advocated for greater access to the Chinese market, arguing that Nvidia should remain competitive in the global AI industry. China’s latest rejection of the espionage allegations adds another dimension to the ongoing technology rivalry between the two countries.

For now, Nvidia’s independent investigation is expected to examine the available information and determine whether any confidential company or national security information was exposed.

However, no publicly established evidence has confirmed that Chinese intelligence successfully obtained sensitive information from Huang or Nvidia.