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Mao Ning, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reacts angrily to U.S. claims that Alice Huang is a spy for Chinese intelligence agencies during a regular press briefing on Nov. 12. /Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

At a press briefing on Nov. 12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was asked how Beijing would respond if the issue, which emerged ahead of a U.S.-China summit, led to further U.S. restrictions on exports of advanced technology to China. "China's scientific and technological progress is driven by independent innovation and open cooperation," she said. "The United States should stop fabricating so-called 'spy narratives' to find excuses for imposing a technological blockade on China."

Mao went on to say, "China and the United States are maintaining close communication regarding interactions between the two countries' leaders." She added, "We are willing to work with the United States to properly implement the important agreements reached by the two leaders and promote the establishment of a constructive and strategically stable China-U.S. relationship based on respect, fairness and equality."

Asked about China's Northwestern Polytechnical University's purchase of H200 chips, Mao said, "I am not aware of the specific circumstances." She added, "China's position on U.S. semiconductor exports to China has been consistent. At the same time, we firmly oppose the United States' broadening of the concept of national security, drawing up discriminatory lists under various pretexts and unjustifiably suppressing Chinese institutions."

When asked about foreign media reports that Alice Huang had returned to her home country of China and was staying in Beijing, Mao declined to elaborate, saying, "I am not aware of the situation you mentioned." However, according to several diplomatic sources in Beijing on Nov. 12, Huang had recently returned to China and was believed to be staying in Beijing.

Nevertheless, China's Foreign Ministry has categorically denied the allegations, dismissing them as slander after claims that Alice Huang was a Chinese spy drew attention following Jensen Huang's admission of an extramarital affair on Nov. 8 (U.S. local time). It seems safe to say that Beijing is highly unlikely to acknowledge the allegations in the future.

                                                                                                                            Hong Soon-do