Northwestern Polytechnical University, a defense-focused institution with ties to China’s military research establishment, acquired two of Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chips in October despite being designated on the US Commerce Department’s Entity List since 2001. The university, located in Xi’an and focused on military-related research including aircraft, missiles and satellites, purchased the chips for 874,700 yuan through a Chinese technology intermediary rather than directly from Nvidia.
The transaction highlights ongoing efforts by Chinese institutions to obtain advanced US computing technology despite export restrictions. A Reuters investigation identified multiple instances in which Chinese universities and research institutions with defense connections acquired restricted Nvidia chips or leased access to computing services powered by such processors through domestic suppliers. The H200 represents among Nvidia’s most advanced offerings for training complex artificial intelligence systems and normally requires US export licenses that are typically denied for blacklisted organizations.
The purchase comes amid escalating political pressure on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang regarding export policy and allegations of foreign intelligence operations targeting him personally. Some US lawmakers argue that access to cutting-edge Nvidia chips accelerates China’s military artificial intelligence development for weapons design and defense modernization. Conversely, Huang has advocated for less stringent restrictions, contending that maintained US-China commercial relationships preserve American technological superiority and customer dependence on Nvidia products.
The Trump administration began approving select H200 exports to China on a case-by-case basis starting in January, though this policy excluded institutions on the Entity List. Congressional leaders from both major parties have called for enhanced oversight mechanisms, including chip-tracking requirements and greater legislative review of advanced technology exports to China.
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