ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent Order Over $35 Billion in Nvidia AI Chips
Chinese technology giants ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent have ordered more than 3 million Nvidia RTX PRO 5500 graphics cards, worth over $35 billion, Reuters reported on October 20, 2026. The orders highlight China’s growing demand for artificial intelligence computing power despite U.S. export restrictions. However, Nvidia has warned customers that it cannot guarantee deliveries because demand significantly exceeds planned production capacity.
The RTX PRO 5500 is a workstation graphics card priced at approximately $11,400 per unit. It remains among Nvidia’s most powerful chips available to Chinese buyers under current U.S. restrictions. Washington prohibits exports of Nvidia’s advanced B300 processors to China, while H200 shipments require regulatory approval. Chinese technology companies primarily intend to use the RTX PRO 5500 for AI inference, including running chatbots and other AI applications.
Supply constraints could significantly limit actual shipments. Reuters reported that Nvidia’s partners might receive only 5% to 10% of requested quantities. Total Chinese orders reportedly exceed 6 million units, while Nvidia could manufacture no more than 3 million globally in 2027. Early samples are expected in December, with commercial deliveries beginning in the first quarter of 2027.
Why it matters
The orders highlight Nvidia's substantial potential revenue opportunity in China's AI market. However, manufacturing constraints and U.S. export controls could prevent much of that demand from becoming actual sales.
