Jensen Huang in China: High Praise for Huawei, DeepSeek, and Why NVIDIA Can’t Be Ignored

Key Points

  • Strategic China Engagement: Jensen Huang’s visit highlighted NVIDIA’s commitment to China with the lifting of H20 chip restrictions and the announcement of a new RTX Pro graphics card.
  • China’s Unique Market: Huang emphasized China as a “unique market” with unparalleled vitality, innovative engineers, and a vast consumer base, stating that not engaging with it would lead to “unforeseen consequences.”
  • High Praise for Local Tech: He commended Chinese tech giants, calling Huawei a “technological miracle” and praising DeepSeek (Shendu Qiusuo 深度求索) for its “astonishing innovation” in developing a world-class AI model (R1) on the H20 chip.
  • Unstoppable AI and Mobility: Huang noted China’s rapid advancements in AI and autonomous driving, stating that technology is developing faster there than anywhere else, leading to a “world-class miracle” in its supply chain.
Key NVIDIA Announcements in China (July 2025)
AnnouncementSignificance for China
H20 Chip Restrictions LiftedAllows greater access to advanced chips, boosting AI and high-performance computing capabilities.
New RTX Pro Graphics Card AnnouncedTargets key growth areas like computer graphics, digital twins, and AI, reaffirming NVIDIA’s commitment to the local tech ecosystem.
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NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s (Huang Renxun 黄仁勋) recent high-profile visit to China is creating waves, and for good reason.

Fresh off seeing his company’s market cap rocket past an insane $4 trillion USD, Huang didn’t just show up; he made a statement.

In a candid interview with CCTV’s “Face to Face,” he dropped some serious insights on everything from local tech giants to the global supply chain.

If you’re an investor, founder, or just a tech nerd, this is a masterclass in global business strategy. Let’s break it down.

The Grand Entrance: A Tang Suit and a New Strategy

On July 16, 2025, Huang took the stage at the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing.

Instead of his iconic black leather jacket, he opted for a traditional Tang suit—a clear nod of respect to his hosts.

He even kicked off his speech in Chinese.

But this wasn’t just a charm offensive. Huang came with big news:

  • H20 Chip Greenlight: Restrictions on the H20 chip have been lifted, a significant development for the Chinese market.
  • New Hardware Drop: He announced a new RTX Pro graphics card, targeting computer graphics, digital twins, and AI—doubling down on NVIDIA’s commitment to China’s tech ecosystem.

It’s a classic Jensen Huang move: blending sharp business acumen with a deep understanding of the market’s culture.

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Jensen Huang on China: “You Absolutely Cannot Take It Lightly”

When asked about the Chinese market, Huang didn’t mince words.

“China is not just one of many markets; China is a unique market,” he stated.

He sees an unparalleled combination of factors that make it a powerhouse:

  • unmatched vitality and development speed.
  • a deep pool of excellent engineers with outstanding innovative capabilities.
  • one of the largest numbers of computer scientists globally, rivaled only by the US.
  • an incredibly vast consumer base.

Huang also revealed his deep, long-standing ties to the Chinese tech scene.

He mentioned coming to China back when the only major tech players were Lenovo (Lianxiang 联想) and Great Wall (Changcheng 长城).

What about the risk of not being in China?

Huang’s take is stark: “The unforeseen consequences and long-term impact… I believe the outcome would not be optimistic.”

Key Strengths of the Chinese Market (According to Jensen Huang)
CharacteristicDescription
Unmatched Vitality & Development SpeedRapid advancements and dynamic growth across various sectors.
Deep Pool of Excellent EngineersOutstanding innovative capabilities and a large number of skilled professionals.
Vast Number of Computer ScientistsGlobally significant talent pool, comparable only to the US.
Incredibly Vast Consumer BaseProvides significant market opportunities and scalability for tech products and services.
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Respect for the Game: High Praise for Huawei, Xiaomi, and DeepSeek

Huang was incredibly open about his view of China’s homegrown tech titans, treating them not just as customers, but as formidable competitors and partners.

Huawei: A “Technological Miracle” and Formidable Force

Huang’s praise for Huawei (Huawei 华为) was particularly strong.

He called them a company of “extraordinary scale and strength,” noting they are much larger than NVIDIA in size and personnel.

“If anyone has closely examined a Huawei phone, they will understand the technological miracle it embodies,” he said.

He highlighted Huawei’s excellence in:

  • Autonomous driving
  • AI technology
  • Chip design
  • System design and software

This isn’t just flattery. It’s a pragmatic acknowledgment of a world-class competitor that is pushing the boundaries of technology.

Xiaomi: A Long-Standing Partnership with Lei Jun

Huang also shared that he met with Lei Jun (Lei Jun 雷军), the founder of Xiaomi (Xiaomi 小米), during his trip.

Their collaboration isn’t new; it goes way back.

“I have been cooperating with Lei Jun for a long time,” Huang said. “We worked together on mobile phones, and now we are jointly developing artificial intelligence, autonomous driving software, and many other projects.”

This reveals a key part of NVIDIA’s strategy: building deep, long-term relationships with the founders shaping the future of tech.

DeepSeek: “Astonishing Innovation” on the H20 Chip

Perhaps the most fascinating shout-out was for DeepSeek (Shendu Qiusuo 深度求索).

Huang called their innovative capability “astonishing.”

Here’s why that’s a huge deal: The H20 chip is powerful, but it’s not NVIDIA’s top-of-the-line processor due to export restrictions.

Yet, DeepSeek managed to develop a world-class AI model, the R1 model, by creatively redesigning its operational aspects to maximize the H20’s architecture.

“Despite being built on the H20, they still achieved world-class results,” Huang explained. “This also demonstrates that researchers and developers are fully capable of adjusting based on the characteristics of different technical layers.”

This is a masterstroke. Huang simultaneously validates the H20 as a capable chip while celebrating the ingenuity of Chinese developers.

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The Unstoppable Force: China’s AI and Autonomous Driving Scene

Huang believes China’s AI market will succeed, with or without NVIDIA.

“If we weren’t here, Huawei would certainly find its own solutions,” he stated. “This is my confidence in human innovative ability: where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

He also pointed to the rapid robotization of “everything that moves,” noting that China is leading the charge in autonomous driving.

“We see autonomous vehicles everywhere in China, and autonomous driving technology is developing faster here than anywhere else.”

He gave props to a whole roster of players pushing the envelope, including Xpeng (Xiaopeng 小鹏), Li Auto (Ideal Lixiang 理想), Nio (Weilai 蔚来), Xiaomi (Xiaomi 小米), and BYD (Biyadi 比亚迪).

For Huang, China’s ability to integrate AI, software, and mechanical systems is a natural strength and an “extraordinary opportunity.”

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The “World-Class Miracle” of China’s Supply Chain

On the topic of global supply chains, Huang was unequivocal.

He called China’s system a “world-class miracle” due to its incredible scale, complexity, and diversity.

But he also sees a bigger picture. As global supply chains diversify, China has a massive opportunity to export its manufacturing technology and help build new production lines worldwide.

He had a clear message for anyone thinking about “decoupling.”

“No matter what happens, there is fundamentally no possibility of a complete decoupling of the global supply chain. The entire system is too complex; it will always be interconnected.”

He argued this interdependence isn’t a weakness but a strength that enhances global resilience.

Chinese Tech Companies Praised by Jensen Huang
  • Huawei (华为): Called a “technological miracle” for its breadth and depth in areas like autonomous driving, AI, chip design, and system design.
  • Xiaomi (小米): Highlighted for a long-standing partnership with founder Lei Jun, collaborating on mobile phones, AI, and autonomous driving software.
  • DeepSeek (深度求索): Praised for “astonishing innovation” in developing a world-class AI model (R1) on NVIDIA’s H20 chip, demonstrating adaptability despite export restrictions.
  • Xpeng (小鹏), Li Auto (理想), Nio (蔚来), BYD (比亚迪): Recognized as key players leading China’s rapid advancements in autonomous driving.
  • Lenovo (联想) & Great Wall (长城): Mentioned as historically significant tech companies Huang engaged with early in his career in China.

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The Final Takeaway: Why Jensen Huang’s China Trip Matters

At his own company meetings, Huang is famous for warning employees, “Our company is only 30 days away from bankruptcy.”

This relentless, forward-looking paranoia is what keeps NVIDIA at the bleeding edge.

His trip to China is a reflection of that same realism.

He sees the market not through a political lens, but through the eyes of an engineer, a competitor, and a strategist.

He recognizes the unstoppable innovation, the formidable competition, and the absolute necessity of being a player in the world’s most dynamic tech ecosystem.

The message from Jensen Huang in China is clear: in the world of global tech, you can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.


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