China’s Tech Giants Move AI Training Overseas to Access Nvidia Advanced Chips
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
BEIJING, Nov. 27, 2025 — Several major Chinese technology companies are shifting parts of their artificial intelligence model training operations to data centres outside China in a strategic move aimed at maintaining access to high-performance Nvidia chips restricted under U.S. export controls.
Tech giants involved in large-scale AI model development are reportedly renting or partnering with overseas facilities — particularly in Southeast Asia — to run training workloads that require the latest generation of AI-optimized processors. The move follows tightening U.S. rules earlier this year that sharply limited the export of advanced chips to the Chinese mainland.
Industry insiders say the offshore training approach allows companies to continue pushing forward with complex model development while complying with international regulations. It also offers a temporary workaround as domestic chipmakers race to produce competitive AI-grade hardware capable of supporting next-generation computing needs.
Some smaller startups and research labs that previously stockpiled high-end chips before the restrictions took effect are supplementing the shift by collaborating with local semiconductor firms. These efforts aim to accelerate China’s production of home-grown alternatives that can reduce dependence on foreign technology in the long term.
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Wider Impact on AI Strategy and Global Tech Competition
The relocation of AI workloads underscores how deeply export controls are influencing the global race for artificial intelligence leadership. While the restrictions were designed to slow China’s development of cutting-edge systems, the current shift demonstrates the adaptability of major firms seeking to maintain momentum.
Analysts note that relying on overseas compute infrastructure introduces new complexities — from data-security considerations to geopolitical risk. However, it also highlights the determination of Chinese companies to remain competitive in the global AI landscape.
In the broader view, this trend may accelerate China’s investment in indigenous chip design and manufacturing, potentially reshaping the balance of power in both the semiconductor industry and the emerging AI economy.
