China to allow select AI firms to buy Nvidia H200 chips
China is shifting its stance on importing advanced AI chips, planning to let selected companies like Alibaba, ByteDance, and DeepSeek buy limited numbers of Nvidia's H200 chips. This move aims to temporarily ease the training bottleneck in China's AI industry, as domestic chips are unlikely to fill the computing-power gap in the near term, according to lawyer Shi Shenchang of Co-Effort Law Firm. However, analysts note Beijing remains focused on tech self-sufficiency. Companies will need to justify why they need the Nvidia product over local alternatives. The decision comes amid an ongoing US-China stand-off over cutting-edge chips.
Key facts
- China plans to let selected companies buy limited numbers of Nvidia H200 chips.
- Alibaba, ByteDance, and DeepSeek are among the firms informed of coming approvals.
- The move aims to temporarily ease the training bottleneck in China's AI industry.
- Domestic chips are unlikely to fill the computing-power gap in the near term.
- Companies must explain why they need the Nvidia product over local alternatives.
- Beijing remains focused on tech self-sufficiency, analysts say.
- The US and China have been locked in a stand-off over cutting-edge chips.
- The Information reported the news on Wednesday.
Entities
Institutions
- Alibaba Group Holding
- ByteDance
- DeepSeek
- Nvidia
- South China Morning Post
- The Information
- Co-Effort Law Firm
- Alibaba
Locations
- China
- United States
- Shanghai