Two Chinese charged for shipping US AI chips to China
Two Chinese individuals living in California have been apprehended and charged for unlawfully exporting advanced semiconductor technology from the United States, which includes Nvidia’s high-end H100 AI chips, to China, in breach of federal export regulations, as announced by the United States Department of Justice on Tuesday.Chuan Geng, 28, from Pasadena, and Shiwei Yang, 28, from El Monte, reportedly shipped technology worth tens of millions of dollars to China between October 2022 and July 2025 without obtaining the necessary licenses from the U.S. Commerce Department.
An affidavit submitted with the complaint indicated that the duo operated through their company, ALX Solutions, based in El Monte, which they established shortly after the U.S. imposed stringent export controls aimed at restricting China’s access to critical technology due to increasing concerns regarding Beijing’s military progress.
Federal officials stated that ALX Solutions executed more than 20 shipments to freight forwarding companies located in Singapore and Malaysia—regions commonly used as transshipment hubs to bypass trade restrictions. However, payments for these shipments were traced back to companies in China and Hong Kong rather than the intermediaries.
In January 2024, ALX reportedly received a payment of $1 million from a company based in China, with further funds sourced from other regional entities. From August 2023 to July 2024, the company acquired over 200 Nvidia H100 chips from Super Micro Computer, a manufacturer based in San Jose, claiming that the chips were meant for clients in Singapore and Japan.
One specific shipment, billed at nearly $28.5 million, indicated a customer located in Singapore. However, a U.S. export control officer stationed in Singapore subsequently confirmed that the recipient company did not exist at the specified address, and there was no proof that the chips ever made it to the country.
Both Nvidia and Super Micro have stated their commitment to adhering to U.S. export regulations. Nvidia highlighted that its products are mainly distributed through approved partners and cautioned that diverted items do not receive “any service, support or updates.” Super Micro mentioned that it fully cooperates with authorities but chose not to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Geng, who holds U.S. permanent residency, was released on a $250,000 bond after appearing in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday. Yang, who is alleged to have overstayed her visa, remains in custody while awaiting a detention hearing set for August 12. Lawyers representing both defendants have yet to respond to requests for comments.
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