Tencent gained access to Nvidia's strongest AI chips.

Tencent's Agreement with Nvidia: Artificial Intelligence Chips

Tencent Holdings has managed to gain access to Nvidia's **Blackwell** artificial intelligence chips, bypassing the U.S. export restrictions. This was made possible through the computing capacity rented from its overseas data centers. According to sources close to the matter reported by The Financial Times, Tencent has reached the most advanced processors through cloud computing regulations in Japan.

Where Are Nvidia Blackwell Chips Located?

Analyses indicate that Nvidia's Blackwell B200 processors are located in the Datasection data center in Osaka, Japan. Datasection leases the computing capacity of these chips to large clients like Tencent. This situation is legally acceptable due to the chips being located outside of China and is at the center of the geopolitical tensions arising from U.S. export controls.

Impact of U.S. Export Restrictions

The export restrictions imposed by the U.S. have limited China's access to the most powerful artificial intelligence hardware. This has prompted companies like Tencent, Alibaba Group, and ByteDance to train their AI models abroad and opt for renting computing power instead of purchasing chips directly. In this context, the new rules introduced during President Joe Biden's administration had been revoked by former President Donald Trump in May.

New Developments for Nvidia H200 Chips

The Trump administration has officially initiated a review regarding the sale of Nvidia’s **H200** artificial intelligence chips to China. This review could potentially open the way for the first shipments of H200 chips. The U.S. Department of Commerce has directed the license applications necessary for H200 exports to the relevant ministries. The final decision will be made by the president. However, reports suggesting that China will limit access to Nvidia’s H200 chips complicate this process.