China Weighs Allowing Alibaba and ByteDance to Buy Nvidia RTX PRO 5500 Chips

Key points

• China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has asked Alibaba and ByteDance to report their plans to buy Nvidia's RTX PRO 5500 chips, according to The Information.
• The ministry has signaled to some companies that the government intends to approve these purchases, potentially marking a shift in Beijing's stance on US chip imports.
• Industry executives expect the RTX PRO 5500 chip to avoid current US export restrictions, as it is designed for high-end professional computers rather than advanced AI training.
• Nvidia stated that US firms remain restricted by a combination of outdated US export controls and China's own limits on US imports, without directly confirming the specific approval.
• Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and neither Alibaba, ByteDance, nor the Chinese government responded to requests for comment.

Background

This development follows recent tensions over US export controls on AI chips to China, including a 2026 Taiwan indictment of an Nvidia executive for illegally exporting high-end AI servers. Earlier in September 2026, markets anticipated potential reopening of Nvidia chip imports to China, with Nvidia's data-center revenue having grown 106% year-over-year in 2025. The RTX PRO 5500 is distinct from the most restricted AI training chips, potentially allowing a narrower category of US technology to reach Chinese buyers.

How outlets are covering it

The Information reported that China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is actively seeking to approve purchases of the RTX PRO 5500 by Alibaba and ByteDance, citing two people familiar with the matter. CNBC reported the same story but noted that Reuters could not immediately verify the claims. Nvidia's response, as reported by CNBC, emphasized that US firms continue to face restrictions from both outdated US export controls and China's own import limits, without explicitly confirming or denying the specific approval for the RTX PRO 5500. The sources differ in their level of confirmation: The Information presents the approval as a likely outcome based on ministry communications, while CNBC frames it as an unverified report with a cautious corporate response from Nvidia.

Why it matters

If approved, this would represent a significant easing of US chip restrictions for major Chinese tech companies, potentially boosting Nvidia's revenue from China and signaling a shift in Beijing's approach to US technology imports. It could also set a precedent for other US chip products being exempted from export controls if they are deemed non-critical for advanced AI development.

What to watch

Watch for official announcements from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology regarding the approval of RTX PRO 5500 purchases. Monitor Nvidia's stock reaction and any further comments from the company or Chinese tech firms. Look for updates on whether other US chip products may be exempted from export controls in the near future.