Shanghai: Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang is visiting China this week at a time when the company is facing growing regulatory pressure and rising competition from local chipmakers.
Huang arrived in Shanghai to attend a company event with employees and is expected to travel to Beijing and Shenzhen before heading to Taiwan. Nvidia said the trip was part of a regular visit to meet staff and business partners.
The visit comes as Chinese authorities tighten controls on advanced foreign technology. At the center of the issue is Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chip, which is widely used in data centers and for training large AI systems. Although the chip has received export approval from the United States, Chinese customs officials have reportedly stopped shipments from entering the country.
It is still unclear whether this move is a formal ban or a temporary restriction. Neither Nvidia nor Chinese regulators have given a clear public explanation so far.
The uncertainty has created concern among Chinese technology companies that rely on Nvidia chips for AI development. Some firms have delayed expansion plans, while others are exploring alternative suppliers as they wait for a decision from regulators.
Industry sources say demand for the H200 chip in China remains strong, but approvals appear to be stalled on the Chinese side. This has added to pressure on Nvidia, which has already been affected by US export controls on advanced chips.
Analysts say the situation shows how technology has become part of wider competition between the United States and China. Beijing is pushing to strengthen its domestic semiconductor industry, while Washington continues to limit the sale of high end chips to China.
For Nvidia, access to the Chinese market is important because it is one of the world’s largest users of artificial intelligence hardware. Any long term restrictions could affect the company’s sales and China’s pace of AI development.
Investors and industry leaders are now watching closely to see whether Chinese regulators will allow imports of the H200 chip or move further toward supporting only locally made alternatives.