China dismisses spy claim over Nvidia CEO’s partner

China’s government rejected claims on Monday that a woman romantically involved with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was a Chinese spy. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul dismissed the reports as a pure fabrication out of thin air. The official said the accusations amounted to nothing but a smear against China.

The diplomatic response followed a weekend admission by Huang. On Sunday, the 63-year-old executive acknowledged a relationship with Alice Huang. She is a Chinese business executive whom U.S. officials suspected of providing information to Chinese intelligence. Nvidia confirmed it is investigating the conduct of its chief executive. The company’s board stated it has no reason to believe national security or corporate secrets were compromised.

The situation escalated after The New York Times reported on findings from U.S. government officials. Those officials determined that Alice Huang, an executive for the Singapore-based tech company Megaspeed, was gathering intelligence for Beijing. Authorities began surveilling her more than a year ago. During that monitoring, investigators discovered she was communicating with Jensen Huang.

U.S. officials had investigated whether Megaspeed helped divert advanced Nvidia AI chips to China. This activity would have violated U.S. export controls. Some lawmakers are now calling for Jensen Huang to testify before Congress regarding the national security implications.

In China, the reaction has focused on downplaying the espionage angle. Social media users on Weibo, the country’s heavily censored platform, reacted to the news with a mix of amusement and criticism. The top trending topic on Monday morning read: Jensen Huang’s 41-Year Loyal Husband Persona Falls Apart. Other users argued that American media was smearing Alice Huang, who is not related to the Nvidia co-founder.

Hu Xijin, a prominent nationalist commentator and former chief editor of the Global Times, offered a political explanation. He described the disclosure as a calculated move by the Democratic Party and the U.S. establishment. He claimed the goal was to take down Jensen Huang and, by extension, target President Donald Trump.

The controversy complicates Huang’s role as a technology ally to the Trump administration. Huang has pushed the White House to ease export restrictions that limit Nvidia’s sales of advanced chips to China. In May, he traveled to Beijing with a delegation led by President Trump.

Huang has argued that U.S. national security concerns are overblown. He contends that the Chinese military does not need Nvidia chips to develop AI technology. He also warns that the United States risks losing technological leadership by cutting off access to the Chinese market.

Huang’s popularity in Asia adds a personal dimension to the corporate dispute. Born in Taiwan and raised in the United States, he is viewed as a charismatic leader who bridges the two tech industries. His appearances in Taipei, Seoul, and Beijing often draw crowds comparable to those for movie stars or athletes.

During a visit to South Korea last year, he shared fried chicken and beer with local semiconductor executives. In Beijing, he has been seen eating noodles at neighborhood stalls. In Taiwan, where he is often called dad by admirers, online users expressed disbelief at his personal judgment. Some commentators there also raised questions about how Alice Huang gained entry to the island.

Huang may soon return to the region. President Trump indicated on Sunday that he still plans to bring Huang to the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. The event is hosted in China, where President Xi Jinping will attend. Advanced semiconductor technology and AI are expected to be central topics of discussion.