China PLA-linked university bought Nvidia H200 chips despite U.S. curbs - Reuters

A Chinese university with longstanding ties to the People's Liberation Army obtained advanced Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) artificial intelligence chips despite being subject to U.S. export restrictions, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing procurement records it reviewed.

Northwestern Polytechnical University, one of China's elite defence-focused "Seven Sons of National Defense" institutions, purchased two Nvidia H200 processors for 874,700 yuan ($123,000) last month through a domestic supplier, Reuters reported.

The university also secured access to restricted Nvidia processors through several computing-service contracts, including servers containing H200, A100 and A800 chips, for artificial intelligence training and engineering simulations, the report said.

The findings highlight how Chinese institutions can obtain U.S.-restricted computing power through local intermediaries, despite Washington's efforts to tighten controls.

Reuters reviewed 26 procurement and corporate records showing Chinese universities and research institutions purchasing restricted chips or renting access to computing services powered by them.

The developments come as Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang faces increased scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers over his lobbying for greater access to the Chinese market. Three Republican congressional committee chairmen have requested a briefing with Huang on November 18 over his reported contacts with an alleged Chinese intelligence operative.

Northwestern Polytechnical has been on the U.S. Commerce Department's Entity List since 2001.