Chinese University Obtains Nvidia H200 Chips Despite US Sanctions

Northwestern Polytechnical University, a Chinese institution with military ties, acquired two Nvidia H200 chips last month. Purchase records show a total cost of 874,700 yuan, or roughly 123,000 dollars, processed through a local vendor. The university belongs to the elite group of schools known as the Seven Sons of National Defence.

The hardware is among Nvidia's most powerful processors for training artificial intelligence systems. The university has been on the US government trade blacklist since 2001 due to its involvement in missile research and military activities. Current US policy denies export licenses to the institution.

Beyond direct purchases, records indicate the university contracted cloud computing power five times this year. These contracts provide remote access to high-end Nvidia chips through Chinese intermediaries. This practice highlights the difficulty Washington faces in stopping sensitive technology from reaching sanctioned targets.

The case increases pressure on Nvidia and its CEO, Jensen Huang. US lawmakers are questioning how these chips impact China's development of intelligence analysis systems and weapons modernization. The company maintains that its sales preserve US technological leadership and reliance on its products.