China has accused the United States of using alleged espionage claims to justify restrictions on its access to advanced technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) chips.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks on Thursday, November 12, after being questioned about allegations that a woman linked to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was involved in Chinese espionage.

Mao urged Washington to stop what she described as fabricated spy narratives being used as a pretext for imposing a technological blockade on China. She said China’s scientific and technological progress was driven by independent innovation and international cooperation.

The controversy follows reports that US officials suspect Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed, of having links to Chinese intelligence. She was reportedly involved in a relationship with Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, who has acknowledged an extramarital affair.

China has rejected the espionage allegations as groundless and an attempt to damage its reputation.

The dispute comes ahead of an expected meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC gathering in Shenzhen, amid continuing tensions over semiconductor exports and AI technology.