Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks at a press conference in Beijing on July 16, 2025. Photo: Zhang Yiyi/GT

When asked for his views on the progress made by China's tech giant Huawei, US chipmaker Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang  issued a blunt warning to anyone dismissing China's tech prowess on Wednesday, saying that "anyone who discounts Huawei and anyone who discounts China's manufacturing capability is deeply naive."

Speaking at a Beijing media briefing during his third visit to China this year, Huang praised the China's tech giant as "a formidable company," saying they are "already on the dance floor" despite being relative newcomers to artificial intelligence (AI) acceleration.

"Give me an example of a phone company that builds more advanced handsets than Huawei. Give me an example of anyone who builds better cellular technology than Huawei. You can't," he said.

With three decades in semiconductors himself, he marveled at Huawei's rapid catch-up. 

Commenting on claims that there are indications that Huawei's Ascend ecosystem "isn't quite ready" to replace Nvidia for large-scale training for some AI developers, Huang said that gap is "just a matter of time." 

The remarks come as Nvidia navigates tightened US export controls to China and seeks to reassure Chinese partners of its long-term commitment. 

Huang said Nvidia has won approval from the US administration to sell its advanced H20 computer chips used to develop AI to China. 

"The Chinese market is massive, dynamic, and highly innovative, and it's also home to many AI researchers," Huang said, according to a China Central Television report.

"Therefore, it is indeed crucial for American companies to establish roots in the Chinese market."

The Nvidia CEO also lauded China's AI development. The Chinese market is "large" and "dynamic," and AI is developing rapidly in China, Huang said, noting that he is pleased to see the progress in AI development, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Global Times