Alice Huang, named as Nvidia CEO's alleged affair partner, suspected of ties to Chinese intelligence

Taiwan authorities say national security agency 'actively investigating'

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Alice Huang, who faces allegations of links to Chinese intelligence, sit side by side at an event in Taipei, Taiwan, in June 2024. [Yonhap]
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Alice Huang, who faces allegations of links to Chinese intelligence, sit side by side at an event in Taipei, Taiwan, in June 2024. [Yonhap]

Taiwan authorities have opened an investigation into Alice Huang — known in Chinese as Huang Le — the woman named as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's alleged affair partner, after suspicions grew over her possible ties to Chinese intelligence. The probe follows confirmation that she accompanied Huang on multiple visits to Taiwan.

Taiwan Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang told reporters at the legislature Tuesday that national security authorities are "actively investigating" the allegations of Alice Huang's links to Chinese intelligence, and that the Interior Ministry is cooperating with the inquiry, according to Taiwan's United Daily News and Liberty Times. Liu declined to elaborate on the specific scope or targets of the investigation.

Alice Huang has previously been flagged by US intelligence agencies as a person with possible connections to Chinese spy networks. She was frequently spotted accompanying Huang on his Taiwan trips, and local media captured the two in conversation at a Taipei restaurant in May last year.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also signaled caution while stopping short of a firm stance. Vice Minister for Political Affairs Chen Ming-chi, responding to reporters' questions Tuesday about the basis on which Alice Huang had entered Taiwan, said the government would not disclose the immigration status of individuals but added that "necessary precautionary measures are being taken at the government level."

Chen added that anyone who complies with residency regulations and has no criminal record in Taiwan would not face unnecessary restrictions on entry, exit or interactions with Taiwanese nationals, "except for considerations required by national security." Chen said the case underscores the importance of economic security and that the government takes the related issues seriously.

Chiu Chui-cheng, minister-level chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council — Taiwan's body overseeing cross-strait relations — said using women to gather intelligence is a classic tactic employed by China, but noted that the specific facts of this case have yet to be confirmed and that it is difficult to assess at this stage.

Meanwhile, Jensen Huang has publicly acknowledged the affair and issued an apology to his family and Nvidia employees. Nvidia's board said it has launched a review through an independent external body but has so far found no evidence of national security violations or leaks of confidential information.


an@heraldcorp.com