World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
China denies using honey traps as spy claims surround Nvidia CEO
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is linked to an alleged Chinese spy as questions grow about whether he was targeted in a so-called “honey trap.”
A honey trap involves seducing someone to gather information or make them vulnerable to blackmail.
China denies spying on Huang, calling the claims groundless, while a prominent Chinese commentator says the country does not use this tactic.
At the same time, Chinese authorities have warned citizens about foreign spies who may use dating and seduction to recruit people or steal secrets.
China has publicized alleged cases, including one in which a woman known as “Little Coconut” reportedly recruited more than 100 people.
The allegations have added pressure around China’s access to AI chips, with U.S. lawmakers pushing to restrict access after the scandal.
The available information does not establish whether Huang was deliberately targeted.
China denied that it used a “honey trap” against Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and called spying claims groundless.
The denial followed reports that Huang had an affair with Alice Huang, whom US officials reportedly believe worked for Chinese intelligence.
China accused the United States of using the allegations to justify restricting China’s access to technology.
Huang has lobbied against limits on advanced-chip sales to China.
The dispute comes ahead of a November meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC gathering in Shenzhen.
- Who
- China and the United States are at odds over claims involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Alice Huang.
- What
- China denied using a “honey trap” against Jensen Huang and rejected claims of Chinese espionage.
- When
- The reports and statements were published on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12, 2026.
- Where
- China; the reported dinner involving Huang and Alice Huang took place in Taipei, Taiwan.
- Why
- China said the allegations were groundless and accused the United States of using them as a pretext for a technological blockade.
China
United States
Espionage claims
China
China called the claims about spying on Huang groundless speculation and slander.
United States
Alice Huang is reportedly thought by US officials to have worked for Chinese intelligence.
Technology restrictions
China
China said the United States was using the allegations as a pretext for a technological blockade.
United States
US lawmakers have pushed to curtail China’s access to AI chips, according to the Globe and Mail.
China’s Ministry of State Security put up a poster depicting a civil servant seduced by a foreign spy.
China’s Ministry of State Security warned that foreign intelligence agencies were using online dating to try to recruit people and steal secrets.
A video screengrab showed Alice Huang at a dinner with Jensen Huang in a Taipei restaurant.
Reports about the alleged affair and espionage claims appeared, and Hu Xijin commented on the “honey trap” allegations.
China’s foreign ministry accused the United States of using the claims to justify a technological blockade.
- Nvidia CEO
- Jensen Huang
- Reported woman linked to the allegations
- Alice Huang
- Reported dinner location
- Taipei, Taiwan
- China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman
- Mao Ning
- Planned Trump-Xi meeting
- November, at the APEC gathering in Shenzhen
3 sources
What people are saying
The US side should stop fabricating such ‘spy’ narratives as a pretext for imposing a technological blockade
To my knowledge, the Chinese intelligence never specifically employs the ‘honey trap’ tactic
While we take precautions against such tactics being used against us, we never require our female intelligence officers to ‘sleep with’ someone to achieve their mission objectives.
Posts on X
The Jensen Huang saga reminds me of a story I recounted in my book about Neil Bush. During his divorce proceedings, he admitted to sleeping with Chinese women sent to his hotel rooms in Hong Kong: His wife’s lawyer said: “Mr. Bush, you have to admit it's a pretty remarkable