Chinese University on US Blacklist Buys Nvidia H200 AI Chips

Northwestern Polytechnical University, a Chinese institution on the US export blacklist, purchased two Nvidia H200 AI chips last month for 874,700 yuan ($123,000), according to an October 21 procurement record reported by Reuters. The university, part of China's elite "Seven Sons of National Defense" group of defence-focused schools, acquired the powerful chips despite US restrictions prohibiting such sales to the entity. The purchase highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing export controls. The H200 is among Nvidia's most advanced AI processors, and its sale to a blacklisted military-affiliated institution raises concerns about technology diversion. The procurement record was first reported by Reuters and cited by News18.