Chinese tech giants order $35 billion in Nvidia AI cards
Export controls are redirecting China’s AI demand toward scarce hardware
Overview
ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent have reportedly ordered more than 3 million , worth over $35 billion at about $11,400 each. The cards are weaker than Nvidia’s restricted data-center chips, but their memory and software support still make them useful for running AI systems. Reported Chinese orders exceed 6 million, far beyond Nvidia’s planned output. Nvidia has warned that it cannot guarantee delivery, and the figures may show expected demand rather than confirmed purchases.
The rush began after US rules blocked Nvidia’s and similar chips in 2022. Rules tightened in 2023 to stop modified from getting through. remain barred, while need approval in each case. The limits have pushed Chinese firms toward scarce substitutes, raising costs and possibly slowing AI growth. Domestic chips may help, but software and performance make switching difficult. New US controls or approvals could quickly change this supply route.
Timeline
Chinese technology companies ordered export-compliant Nvidia RTX PRO 5500 cards
ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent reportedly ordered more than 3 million RTX PRO 5500 cards worth over $35 billion, although the orders were not described as completed purchases and were reported on October 20, 2026.
Chinese buyers faced constrained Nvidia supply amid US export restrictions
Chinese technology companies sought the as US restrictions limited access to more capable Nvidia products. Reports indicate strong demand and uncertain supply, but do not establish the extent of domestic substitutes or future US licensing outcomes.
The RTX PRO 5500 shortage limited Chinese buyers' access to Nvidia cards
Nvidia reportedly warned customers it could not guarantee full delivery because Chinese demand exceeded planned production. Some customers might receive only 5% to 10% of requested quantities, limiting immediate deployment of the ordered capacity.
Nvidia warned customers that planned production could not guarantee RTX PRO 5500 deliveries
Nvidia told customers and partners that demand from Chinese technology companies exceeded planned production and that it could not guarantee . One report said partners might receive only 5% to 10% of requested quantities, while another said global 2027 production could reach no more than 3 million cards.
Reported Chinese demand for RTX PRO 5500 cards exceeded 6 million units
Reuters reported, citing two sources, that total orders from Chinese customers exceeded 6 million RTX PRO 5500 cards, though the figure may include requests or rather than confirmed deliverable orders.
ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent were reported to have ordered more than 3 million RTX PRO 5500 cards
Reuters reported that the three companies had collectively ordered more than 3 million cards, with a potential above $35 billion. Nvidia reportedly could not guarantee fulfillment, so the figures should not be treated as confirmed deliveries.
Tencent ordered RTX PRO 5500 cards as Chinese firms competed for permitted Nvidia hardware
Tencent was also reported to have placed a major order. Its participation broadened the response across China's largest internet companies and increased pressure on the limited supply of .
Alibaba was reported to have ordered RTX PRO 5500 cards
Reuters reported that Alibaba was among three Chinese technology companies that had collectively ordered more than 3 million cards, amid demand for .
ByteDance was reported to have ordered RTX PRO 5500 cards
Reuters reported that ByteDance was among three Chinese technology companies that had collectively ordered more than 3 million Nvidia cards, although its individual order and intended use were not independently confirmed.
Chinese AI companies turned to RTX PRO 5500 workstation cards for inference
The became one of the most powerful Nvidia products reportedly available to Chinese buyers under current restrictions. Companies can use its large memory and professional software support for , although workstation cards are less optimized for large-scale data-center workloads than restricted high-end accelerators.
US rules barred Nvidia's B300 from China while putting H200 exports through case-by-case review
Nvidia's -based B300 data-center chip was not permitted for sale to Chinese buyers under the reported rules. -based H200 exports instead faced individual review and licensing conditions, leaving Chinese customers without a predictable open channel for either product.
Nvidia introduced additional China-focused products amid continuing export restrictions
Nvidia developed and began shipping products such as the for the Chinese market as export restrictions continued to limit access to higher-performance chips.
The United States said Nvidia could seek licenses to resume H20 exports
In July 2025, Nvidia said the U.S. government had assured it that licenses for H20 exports to China would be approved, but the licenses were conditional and shipments had not yet broadly resumed.
Nvidia warned that H20 restrictions would create a major financial charge
Nvidia disclosed that the new licensing requirement affected expected sales and forced the company to account for substantial . The episode reinforced the uncertainty surrounding export-compliant products, even after they had been designed for China.
The United States required a license for Nvidia H20 exports to China
US officials told Nvidia that H20 shipments to China required rather than proceeding through a normal commercial channel. The licensing requirement made future supply dependent on case-by-case decisions and increased the incentive for Chinese buyers to secure other permitted Nvidia products.
Nvidia launched the H20 as a lower-performance China-compliant AI accelerator
Nvidia positioned the H20 as a reduced-capability version of its for Chinese customers. The product preserved substantial computing and memory features while remaining within the export-control framework, giving Chinese companies a permitted alternative to the H100 family.
Nvidia developed China-focused products after tighter export rules
After the United States tightened semiconductor export controls in October 2023, Nvidia worked on products tailored for Chinese customers, including the , to comply with the revised restrictions.
The United States tightened chip controls to close modified-chip loopholes
Washington expanded the controls to cover additional performance levels, smaller chips and other designs that could evade the original thresholds. The change targeted China-specific products such as Nvidia's A800 and H800 and made compliant product design a moving target.
Nvidia introduced the China-focused A800 and H800 to stay below US thresholds
Nvidia developed modified versions of its A100 and H100 families for the Chinese market. The reduced interconnect performance to comply with the initial export limits, showing how technical specifications became a tool of export policy.
The United States restricted Nvidia's H100 and other advanced chips for China
The required licenses for exports of advanced computing chips and related equipment to China. The restrictions blocked Nvidia's and similar high-end processors from ordinary commercial shipment, creating the policy barrier that reshaped Chinese AI procurement.