Chinese university bought banned Nvidia chips despite blacklist
Procurement documents point to new ways of circumventing US export restrictions on advanced AI processors.
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A Chinese university with close ties to the People’s Liberation Army bought two Nvidia H200 chips last month, despite a US export ban on the institution. This is shown by procurement documents seen by Reuters.
Northwestern Polytechnical University paid 874,700 yuan, equivalent to about $123,000, for two H200 processors, according to a procurement document. The university did not buy the chips directly from Nvidia, but through the Chinese technology company Shaanxi Bosuan Network Technology.
The university is one of the so-called Seven Sons of National Defense, a group of Chinese institutions with close ties to defence research. US authorities have placed the university on an export list. Licences for the most powerful Nvidia processors are generally refused for institutions on that list.
The H200 is among Nvidia’s most powerful chips for training and running advanced AI systems. Under US law, licences are required for exports. The procurement documents do not make clear where the processors came from or through which route they ultimately reached the university.
Reuters found indications of a broader market. According to the documents, other Chinese universities bought H100, A100 and A800 processors, which are also subject to US restrictions. Some institutions rented computing capacity through Chinese companies instead of buying individual chips. This raises the question of how far export controls should also cover access to computing power through intermediaries.
The issue increases pressure on Washington to tighten export rules. US politicians are discussing mandatory chip registration and additional oversight of intermediaries and data centres, among other measures. Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang defends sales to China because, in his view, they can preserve US technological influence. Critics fear that access to the chips will accelerate the development of military AI. The documents do not prove that Nvidia itself supplied the university directly or that the chips were used for military purposes.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- A Chinese university placed on a US export list bought two Nvidia H200 chips.
- The purchase was made through a Chinese supplier.
- The documents do not say where the chips came from or what they were used for.
Left
Arguments Export controls must prevent commercial technology from reaching military applications through intermediaries; voluntary compliance by companies is insufficient.
Values International security, public oversight and limiting military AI.
Consequences Stricter registration and enforcement may slow trade, but according to this approach they reduce the risk of misuse.
Centre
Arguments The rules should focus on end use and verifiable supply chains, while allowing room for civilian research where it can demonstrably be separated from defence.
Values Proportionality, innovation and legal certainty.
Consequences Better traceability and international agreements may be more effective than a blanket ban.
Right
Arguments Overly broad export restrictions could cost US companies market share and accelerate Chinese competitors; strategic technology should nevertheless be blocked from military applications.
Values National competitiveness, economic freedom and national security.
Consequences A more selective regime with tough sanctions for circumvention would limit economic damage, but requires intensive oversight.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts, amounts and technical descriptions were checked against Reuters. Uncertainties about the origin, end use and Nvidia’s direct involvement are explicitly included in the text.
- confirmed The university bought two H200 chips for 874,700 yuan. — Reuters refers to a procurement document dated 21 October. source
- confirmed Northwestern Polytechnical University is on a US export blacklist. — Reuters describes the university as an institution blocked by the US. source
- confirmed The chips were bought through Shaanxi Bosuan Network Technology. — Named in the Reuters investigation. source
- confirmed The documents do not prove that Nvidia supplied the chips directly. — Reuters names an intermediary supplier and provides no evidence of direct delivery. source
Editor's note
The purchase and amounts are based on procurement documents described by Reuters. The origin and use of the chips are unknown; Nvidia’s direct involvement has not been established.Sources
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