From ancient Asia to the AI age: Has China’s ‘beauty stratagem’ found a new victim in Nvidia’s Jensen Huang?
‘Honey traps’ have long been used to gain an advantage over a rival. In China, it is a tactic documented in stories that go back 2 millennia.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has resigned amid allegations of extramarital affairs and potential espionage ties to Chinese intelligence agencies. The saga has sparked concerns over the sensitive nature of Huang's work in artificial intelligence, which is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of national security. China's Foreign Ministry has denied the espionage allegations, accusing the U.S. of fabricating "spy narratives" to justify a technological blockade.
While Nvidia maintains no evidence of leaked company secrets, the case reflects the historical use of attractive individuals to gather information, influence decisions, and undermine opponents—a tactic known as the "beauty stratagem" or "meiren ji" in Chinese political literature. This ancient strategy, derived from the "Thirty-Six Stratagems," highlights the enduring relevance of personal relationships in achieving strategic objectives.
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