Criticism of Nvidia’s AI-focused H20 chips continues to grow in China. A recent statement on a WeChat account belonging to Yuyuan Tantian, affiliated with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, claimed that the H20 chips were neither technologically advanced nor secure.

China Distrusts Nvidia’s H20 Chips

The H20 chips were developed by Nvidia for the Chinese market in response to US AI chip export restrictions implemented at the end of 2023. However, the chips’ use in China has been controversial due to security concerns.

In April, the Trump administration banned the sale of these chips to China and lifted the ban in July. Following the ban, Chinese authorities began to more closely examine the potential security risks and technological capabilities of the H20 chips.

On July 31, China’s cybersecurity agency formally summoned Nvidia to a meeting and demanded information on whether the H20 chips contained a “backdoor.” In statements following this meeting, Nvidia stated that its products do not contain any hidden structures that enable remote access or control. The company has repeatedly emphasized the security of its chips, directly responding to Yuyuan Tantian’s criticisms.

These statements are not the first to be criticized by Chinese state media. In early August, the People’s Daily newspaper also called on Nvidia to provide clearer and more convincing evidence regarding security. The newspaper argued that the security concerns of Chinese users should be taken into account.

On the other hand, there has been no direct statement from official Chinese authorities regarding the Nvidia H20 chips. However, in China, it is common practice to convey messages through state-linked media or social media channels rather than directly to the government in such cases.

This approach is also used to influence technology choices. Yuyuan Tantian’s recent statements suggest a similar purpose. The target is Huawei Ascend chips, a Chinese-developed chip that competes with Nvidia chips.