Chinese university acquires restricted Nvidia AI chips as US scrutiny intensifies

Procurement records from October 2026 reveal that a Chinese university with documented ties to the People’s Liberation Army successfully acquired advanced Nvidia H200 AI chips, despite being included on a US export blacklist. This development has triggered heightened scrutiny in Washington regarding the effectiveness of current export controls and the lobbying efforts of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who has faced allegations of being targeted by a Chinese spying operation. Three Republican committee chairmen have scheduled a briefing with Huang for November 18 to discuss these contacts and the potential security implications of chip sales to China.

Meanwhile, Chinese firms are increasingly seeking to bypass export restrictions by accessing advanced Nvidia processors remotely through third-country data centers. This workaround faces a potential legislative crackdown via the Remote Access Security Act (RASA). Passed by the US House of Representatives in January with a 369-22 vote, the bill is currently awaiting Senate consideration. If enacted, it would grant the Department of Commerce authority to regulate remote access to technologies subject to export controls, potentially closing a significant loophole used to facilitate Chinese military and technological modernization.