China’s Military Already Has All the Computing Power It Needs, Nvidia’s Chief Reveals

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared that China’s military already possesses all the computing power it needs, downplaying US concerns over the role of American AI chips in Beijing’s defense buildup.

In a recent interview, Huang explained that China’s advanced computing infrastructure and homegrown supercomputers leave it largely insulated from external tech dependencies.

How did Nvidia’s CEO challenge US fears about China’s military technology?

Huang’s comments come as the United States continues to tighten restrictions on the export of AI chips to China, aiming to prevent American technology from boosting China’s military might.

He argued that Beijing is unlikely to rely on US hardware for sensitive defense projects, as such dependence risks sudden supply cut-offs from Washington at critical moments.

Huang said, “They don’t need Nvidia’s chips, certainly, or American tech stacks to build their military.” He noted that Chinese engineers have built “hundreds of supercomputers” already deployed for various applications, including potential military uses.

The Nvidia chief asserted that, just as the US would never base its defense tech on Chinese components, China’s military sees US hardware as too risky to trust for core operations.

Did you know?
China is home to some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, many built entirely with domestically developed silicon and used for advanced research and defense projects.

What drives China’s independence from American AI chips?

China’s investment in local hardware has enabled it to develop some of the world’s most advanced supercomputers using domestically produced silicon. The country’s engineering talent pool is enormous; Huang highlighted that about half the world’s AI developers are now based in China, suggesting a globalized, competitive environment for leading-edge tech innovation.

The CEO of Nvidia asserted that self-reliance and technological independence drive Beijing's military programs. Even with tightened US export restrictions, China’s robust domestic sector has provided ample computing resources for its needs, sidestepping the risk of future sanctions or embargoes.

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Nvidia’s stance: Export controls may accelerate China’s tech innovation

While Washington aims to limit China’s access to the latest AI chips, Huang warned that these controls are counterproductive. He reiterated that continual restrictions could prompt Chinese firms to accelerate the development of indigenous hardware, potentially strengthening China’s long-term competitive standing instead of securing a US advantage.

Huang has long argued for a global tech ecosystem where American platforms and solutions set the standards, accessible to all AI researchers. “If we want the tech stack to be the standard in the world, we have to be in service of all the AI developers of the world,” he said, emphasizing the importance of open international collaboration.

US chip bans are reshaping global technology alliances

The US government’s increasingly strict export controls have hit Nvidia’s business in China hard, prompting the company to engineer new chip versions meant to comply with regulatory limits. Recently, Nvidia won government approval to export its new H20 AI chips to China, albeit in a form custom-built for the country’s regulatory environment.

Despite bipartisan pressure in Washington for tighter restrictions, China remains vital for Nvidia, accounting for a significant portion of its annual revenue. As global tech alliances shift and both sides race to secure supply chains, Nvidia’s leadership continues to advocate for constructive engagement and open markets even as it adapts to the realities of geopolitical rivalry.

As China invests further in high-performance computing and US companies redefine their global strategies, the tech race will only intensify. The world will watch closely to see how innovation, national security, and economic interests continue to collide.