China Considers Allowing ByteDance and Alibaba to Purchase Nvidia RTX Pro 5500 Chips

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is reportedly considering allowing domestic tech giants ByteDance and Alibaba to purchase Nvidia's RTX Pro 5500 chips. This information comes from a report by The Information, which indicates that the MIIT has requested detailed purchase plans from these companies.

The RTX Pro 5500 chips are specifically designed for high-end professional workstations, distinguishing them from the more powerful data-center GPUs that have been subject to strict export controls. This potential move suggests that Beijing may be easing restrictions on certain Nvidia hardware, which could provide a boost to Chinese AI firms that are currently facing a shortage of computing power.

Earlier in 2026, China conditionally approved the import of over 400,000 Nvidia H200 chips for companies including ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent. However, actual shipments have been significantly lower than the approved volumes, indicating a cautious approach to Nvidia's products.

For Nvidia, the Chinese market represents a complex yet significant opportunity. The company has been designing export-compliant chip variants to navigate regulatory challenges. The RTX Pro 5500 could allow Nvidia to sustain its revenue stream from China while adhering to US regulations, as these workstation chips cater to a different segment than the high-demand GPUs used in AI training.