China's MSS: The Intelligence Agency Behind the Nvidia CEO Case

China's Ministry of State Security (MSS), a secretive intelligence agency, has come under scrutiny following reports linking it to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's alleged relationship with Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang. US authorities have connected the MSS to espionage cases, though no proof of wrongdoing has been established. Founded in 1983 as China opened to the world, the MSS oversees intelligence collection and counterintelligence nationwide. It has been repeatedly cited in US investigations into cyberattacks and espionage, with the Treasury imposing sanctions on entities allegedly linked to the agency. Its influence has grown under President Xi Jinping, especially since 2023. US intelligence agencies reportedly believe the MSS recruited Alice Huang to gather information on Jensen Huang, according to Financial Times and New York Times reports. However, it remains unclear if sensitive information was transferred. The FT also reported the MSS later approached someone who knows Alice Huang, seeking details about her business activities following a Singapore probe into possible advanced chip smuggling.