U.S. officials have started leaking information, claiming that a "minimal quantity" of NVIDIA chips have already been shipped to China! On July 15, according to a report by Lianhe Zaobao from Singapore, Jeffrey Kessler, an official from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, stated that a "minimal quantity" of NVIDIA chips have indeed been delivered to China. For the American public, the key point is that the number of H200 and similar products shipped under export licenses is extremely small—so minimal as to be negligible.
Kessler emphasized that every applicant for an H200 export license must meet strict national security requirements, including ensuring that the actual performance of these chips complies with licensing standards and does not exceed the specified levels. How should we interpret this statement from U.S. officials? To some extent, it appears more like a strategic leak or试探 (probe), given that the U.S. previously announced it would only allow sales of the H200 chip to verified Chinese buyers. In essence, the U.S. wants to sell—but the fact remains that, as of now, no Chinese manufacturer has purchased this type of chip.
The so-called "minimal shipment" serves two purposes: internally, it aims to respond to criticism from hawkish members of Congress, demonstrating that current semiconductor controls on China have not loosened; externally, it functions as a maximum-level test to see whether domestic Chinese manufacturers have any procurement plans, effectively conducting reconnaissance. However, in our view, the seemingly relaxed H200 shipments are not full original versions but rather "stripped-down" products. Furthermore, the U.S. has imposed a series of stringent conditions—if any rule is violated, the license will be immediately revoked, and all future deliveries will be frozen.
In short, the U.S. is simultaneously pursuing technological blockade while seeking profit. But from our perspective, relying on the U.S. supply chain carries significant risks. The more loudly the U.S. promotes these sporadic shipments, the more it likely proves that we have not placed any orders. Meanwhile, domestic chip development in China is rapidly advancing. Rather than fixating on a risky U.S. supply chain, it makes far more sense to fully accelerate the drive toward domestic substitution. Clearly, we must achieve independent and self-reliant control over the chip industry—we cannot continue to depend on the United States.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870740140419210/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.