China considers allowing local giants to access Nvidia’s RTX Pro 5500 chip as it seeks semiconductor autonomy

According to information obtained by The Information, the Chinese government may allow large domestic tech companies to purchase the advanced RTX Pro 5500 chip, manufactured by US-based Nvidia. This move would primarily benefit AI companies facing computing capacity shortages, such as ByteDance, owner of TikTok, and Alibaba.

Why the RTX Pro 5500 matters

Launched on September 14, the RTX Pro 5500 is a high-performance GPU designed for professional workstations. It features 84 GB of memory and utilizes Nvidia’s latest Blackwell architecture, making it ideal for intensive AI tasks.

A timeline of bans and approvals

Since September 2025, China has imposed restrictions on the use of Nvidia chips. That month, ByteDance and Alibaba were forced to halt testing of the RTX Pro 6000D, a version tailored for the Chinese market. In December, the United States authorized the export of the H200 chip to approved Chinese customers, subject to a 25% fee.

Despite US approval, Chinese customs officials initially blocked the chips’ entry in January, reversing the decision days later. By the end of that month, ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent had been authorized to purchase over 400,000 units of the H200 collectively. AI company DeepSeek also received permission later, though it remains subject to regulatory conditions.

Balancing immediate needs with strategic autonomy

The potential approval of the RTX Pro 5500 highlights a dilemma for Beijing: meeting the urgent demand for more processing power among local AI companies while reducing reliance on US semiconductors and bolstering domestic manufacturers like Huawei. This move would serve as an interim step as China develops its own chip industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has China already approved the purchase of the RTX Pro 5500 chip?

No definitive approval has been announced. The government has indicated it may allow large tech companies to purchase the RTX Pro 5500, according to The Information.

What is Nvidia’s RTX Pro 5500 chip?

It is a high-performance GPU for workstations, launched on September 14, with 84 GB of memory and Blackwell architecture.

Which Chinese companies will be able to buy the RTX Pro 5500?

ByteDance, owner of TikTok, and Alibaba are among the potential beneficiaries, as Chinese AI companies currently lack the computing capacity needed to operate chatbots and agents.

Why did China restrict Nvidia chips?

Beijing aims to reduce dependence on US components and boost domestic production, as exemplified by the ban on the RTX Pro 6000D in September 2025.

Can Chinese companies already buy Nvidia’s H200 chip?

Yes. ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent have received approval to purchase over 400,000 units of the H200 collectively. DeepSeek was also authorized later, under regulatory conditions still being defined.

Why might China allow advanced Nvidia chips again?

The approval would address the immediate need for more processing capacity for AI models, while maintaining the goal of developing a domestic semiconductor industry.