Reuters examined procurement and corporate records indicating that Northwestern Polytechnical University, a U.S.-blacklisted Chinese institution with military links, purchased two Nvidia H200 processors for 874,700 yuan in October. The investigation reviewed 26 records involving Chinese research institutions obtaining restricted advanced processors or computing services through domestic intermediaries. Although some H200 exports to China may receive case-by-case authorization, restrictions on listed entities remain in effect. The records do not establish the original supply chain for every processor or prove direct involvement by Nvidia in prohibited transactions.
Reuters
Why it matters strategically
The development exposes a potential weakness in export-control effectiveness: restricting direct sales does not necessarily prevent access through intermediaries, secondary markets, or remotely rented computing capacity.
It also creates commercial risk for semiconductor distributors, cloud providers, suppliers, and companies exposed to technology controls.
