Beijing denies claims that woman linked to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair works for Chinese intelligence

Beijing denies claims that woman linked to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair works for Chinese intelligenceChina on Monday rejected allegations that a suspected Chinese intelligence operative had targeted Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, calling the claims unsubstantiated and a smear campaign against Beijing.Responding to a question about Nvidia's investigation into whether Huang had been the target of a foreign intelligence operation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the "so-called Chinese spy narrative" was without basis."The so-called Chinese spy allegation is unsubstantiated. It is nothing but smears against China," Guo said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.The remarks came after Nvidia's board announced an independent investigation into reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort through his alleged relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese businesswoman and former executive of Singapore-based company Megaspeed. According to a report by The New York Times, US authorities had investigated Alice Huang and suspected her of gathering information for Beijing. The report alleged that she had developed a close relationship with the Nvidia chief and had passed information directly to Chinese authorities.Nvidia's board said on Sunday that an independent committee of directors, assisted by external legal counsel, would oversee the investigation. The company said it had no reason to believe that US national security or its trade secrets had been compromised, but would examine all available information. Huang has backed the investigation and committed to cooperating with the review.JENSEN HUANG ADMITS TO INFIDELITYThe controversy intensified after Huang acknowledged in a message to Nvidia employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologised for hurting his family."My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry," he said, taking full responsibility for his actions.He also told employees that he had fallen short of his responsibility towards them and pledged to work to regain their confidence.Huang, 63, co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and has led the company since its inception. He will continue as CEO while the board's investigation is underway.US LAWMAKERS SEEK EXPLANATIONSThe allegations have also drawn scrutiny in Washington, with senior Republican lawmakers calling on Huang to brief Congress about his reported links to the businesswoman and the potential implications for US national security.In a letter dated November 4, the lawmakers raised concerns about China's access to sensitive US technology and information, saying Congress needed to determine whether national security had been put at risk.The controversy comes amid heightened US restrictions on the export of advanced artificial intelligence chips to China. Huang has previously advocated for allowing Nvidia to sell its advanced chips in the Chinese market and successfully lobbied US President Donald Trump to permit sales of the company's H200 processors.- Ends