China Circumvents US Export Restrictions to Acquire Nvidia Chips

Despite US efforts to block access, Chinese military and AI research institutes continue to secure small batches of advanced chips.

Despite US export restrictions, Chinese military bodies, state-run AI research institutes, and universities have managed to acquire small batches of Nvidia chips, which are crucial for AI breakthroughs and advanced military technologies.
China's current suppliers of these chips remain largely unknown, and it's unclear how they are procuring the chips.
The chips being purchased include Nvidia's most powerful chips, the A100 and H100, as well as slower modified chips developed specifically for the Chinese market, the A800 and H800.
Among the entities purchasing chips are two top universities linked to China's principal military force, the People's Liberation Army, and labeled as a threat to US national security.
Despite these purchases, US curbs are effectively stopping China from bulk-ordering chips at quantities needed to develop new AI systems.