China has approved the import of its first batch of Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chips, according to two sources familiar with the matter, signaling a shift in the country’s approach as it seeks to meet its AI demand while fostering domestic chip development.
The approval applies to several hundred thousand H200 chips and came during a visit to China by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang this week. The sources declined to identify which companies received the initial clearances. At the time of publication, China’s industry and commerce ministries, as well as Nvidia, had not responded to requests for comment.
The H200, Nvidia’s second most powerful AI chip, has become a significant point of contention in U.S.-China relations. While Chinese firms are eager for the technology and the U.S. has already approved its exports, Beijing retains the ultimate authority to decide whether the chips can enter the country.
Earlier this month, the U.S. formally cleared Nvidia to sell the H200 to China, where the company has seen strong demand. However, it had remained uncertain in recent weeks whether Chinese authorities would grant final approval, as the government seeks to balance surging domestic demand for advanced AI chips with the goal of supporting its local semiconductor industry.
