China signals approval for Alibaba, ByteDance to buy Nvidia RTX Pro 5500 chips

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has signaled it may permit major technology companies including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and ByteDance Ltd. to purchase Nvidia Corporation's newly launched RTX Pro 5500 graphics chips, according to reporting by The Information citing people familiar with the matter.

The ministry recently requested companies to report on their planned purchases of the high-end graphics processor chip—released in September 2026—including order volumes and intended applications. The ministry indicated to some firms that it intends to approve the purchases, marking a potential shift in China's semiconductor access amid ongoing U.S. export restrictions on advanced chip technologies.

This development represents a significant opportunity for Nvidia to maintain and expand its position in China's technology market. U.S. export controls have previously restricted sales of advanced semiconductors to China, complicating Nvidia's regional operations. Regulatory inquiries into order volumes and usage patterns suggest Chinese authorities are carefully evaluating the strategic implications of permitting such sales, but indications of forthcoming approvals could open a substantial revenue stream for the company in one of the world's largest technology markets.

The RTX Pro 5500 is a graphics processor designed for professional applications including AI computing, scientific research, and 3D graphics work—areas where both Alibaba and ByteDance have significant operational interests.