China Chip Expert Urges Caution Over Nvidia H200 Purchases Amid Shifting US Export Signals
A senior Chinese semiconductor expert has advised mainland companies to remain cautious when considering purchases of Nvidia’s H200 artificial intelligence chips, warning that the United States’ changing approach to advanced chip exports makes long term intentions difficult to read.
Wei Shaojun, vice president of the China Semiconductor Industry Association, said the availability of such advanced chips to China raises unanswered questions about Washington’s broader strategic goals. Speaking in a recent interview, Wei said US policy has repeatedly shifted between partial easing and renewed tightening, creating uncertainty for companies relying on imported high end technology.
According to Wei, this inconsistency has left Chinese users struggling to judge whether export approvals are tactical, temporary or part of a longer term recalibration. He questioned why the US government would allow the release of advanced integrated circuits while simultaneously maintaining pressure on China’s broader technology development. In his view, such contradictions require heightened vigilance from both companies and policymakers.
Wei, who also teaches at Tsinghua University and Peking University, stressed that China’s semiconductor industry must continue prioritising self sufficiency. While he acknowledged that imported computing products could help ease short term demand in sectors such as scientific research, healthcare and smart city development, he said reliance on overseas suppliers should not weaken commitment to independent innovation.
The comments come amid renewed attention on US President Donald Trump’s decision last month to approve the release of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China. The move was widely seen as a limited easing of restrictions that had previously curtailed China’s access to cutting edge AI processors. At the same time, Washington has continued to emphasise national security concerns tied to advanced semiconductor exports.
Nvidia has signalled optimism about demand for the H200 in China, with chief executive Jensen Huang publicly expressing confidence in the market. However, the company has also made clear that sales remain subject to regulatory approvals. Chief financial officer Colette Kress said Nvidia had applied for licences to sell the H200 to Chinese customers and was awaiting clearance from US and other relevant authorities before shipments could proceed.
Industry observers say Wei’s remarks reflect a broader debate within China about how to balance immediate technological needs with long term strategic autonomy. Advanced AI chips play a critical role in data intensive applications, but dependence on foreign supply chains carries risks when geopolitical tensions remain high.
Wei argued that China’s determination to pursue independent innovation should remain firm regardless of short term market opportunities. He said building domestic capabilities in advanced chip design and manufacturing is essential not only for economic development but also for technological security.
As global competition in artificial intelligence and semiconductors intensifies, Chinese companies are being forced to navigate a complex landscape shaped by policy shifts as much as by market forces. Wei’s warning underscores a cautious mindset gaining ground within the industry, one that views access to foreign technology as useful but uncertain, and domestic innovation as the only stable foundation for long term growth.
