China has accused the United States of using espionage allegations involving Nvidia Chief Executive Officer, Jensen Huang, to justify restrictions on its access to advanced technology.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning dismissed the claims on Thursday, describing them as “groundless speculation” and an attempt to smear China.
Speaking during a regular briefing, Mao maintained that China’s technological progress was driven by independent innovation rather than the theft of foreign technology.
The diplomatic dispute follows reports alleging that Huang had an extramarital affair with Alice Huang, a former Singapore-based technology executive whom US officials reportedly suspect of having links to Chinese intelligence.
Huang, who built Nvidia into the world’s leading supplier of artificial intelligence chips, has spent years lobbying against Washington’s restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports to China.
Despite opposition from some US lawmakers, President Donald Trump approved the export of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China last year.
Chinese officials described the espionage allegations as another attempt by Washington to limit China’s technological development and restrict foreign competitors.
The controversy comes ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen.
The meeting is expected to take place against the backdrop of continuing tensions between both countries over trade, technology and national security.
