China’s state-affiliated media has raised fresh concerns over Nvidia’s H20 AI chips, warning that they pose security risks, lack technological advancement, and are not environmentally friendly. In a WeChat article published Sunday, Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account linked to state broadcaster CCTV, criticized the chips, suggesting Chinese consumers should avoid them.
The article claimed that Nvidia’s H20 chips could enable “remote shutdown” through a hardware “backdoor”—a hidden method of bypassing security controls. This follows a July 31 meeting where China’s cyberspace watchdog summoned Nvidia to address concerns about potential backdoor vulnerabilities. While Nvidia denied these claims, stating its products have no such risks, Chinese authorities remain skeptical.
The H20 chips were specifically designed for China’s market after the U.S. imposed export restrictions on advanced AI chips in late 2023. The Trump administration briefly banned their sales in April amid escalating trade tensions but reversed the decision in July. Despite this, Chinese state media, including People’s Daily, has demanded that Nvidia provide “convincing security proofs” to regain market trust.
The criticism reflects growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over technology security and semiconductor dominance. With Chinese authorities pushing for self-reliance in chips, the article’s conclusion—urging consumers to reject Nvidia’s products—signals a potential shift toward domestic alternatives amid ongoing U.S.-China tech rivalry