China approves import of first shipment of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips

China has cleared the import of its first shipment of Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chips, according to two people with knowledge of the decision, signaling a recalibration of Beijing’s approach as it weighs rising demand for advanced AI hardware against efforts to strengthen homegrown alternatives.

The approval, which reportedly covers several hundred thousand H200 processors, was granted during Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang’s visit to China this week.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the issue’s sensitivity, said the move reflects growing pressure from Chinese companies seeking access to high-performance AI technology.

Initial import licenses have largely gone to three leading Chinese internet firms, while other companies are awaiting authorization for future batches, one of the sources added. The identities of the firms receiving the first approvals were not disclosed.

China’s commerce and industry authorities, along with Nvidia, had not issued public comments on the matter at the time of reporting.