Jensen Huang, the former CEO of the American tech giant Nvidia, is a new victim of an ancient tactic from China’s political tradition, known as “Meiren ji” or the “beauty stratagem.”
Regardless of the specific details of the Huang scandal, the political logic behind the “beauty stratagem” – using personal relationships to obtain information, influence decisions, and weaken opponents – remains relevant today.
Therefore, it would not be surprising to see this tactic used in the context of the increasingly intense competition between the US and China in the fields of artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductors, writes The Conversation.
But what exactly is “Meiren ji”?
“Meiren ji” is part of “The Thirty-Six Stratagems”, a Chinese military text of uncertain origin, generally believed to have its roots in oral and written stories from the Warring States period (475–221 BC).
The 31st stratagem states that personal relationships can be used to influence political opponents and recommends exploiting an opponent’s personal desires and emotional vulnerabilities in order to weaken their judgment and undermine their authority.
“The Thirty-Six Stratagems” is both a manual of military tactics and a reflection on past experiences.
Exploiting an opponent’s weaknesses can be more effective than war
One of the best-known Chinese stories about the “beauty stratagem” dates back over 2,000 years.
In the 5th century BC, King Goujian of the state of Yue (located in what is now southern China) was defeated by King Fuchai of the state of Wu, his northern neighbor, and was thus forced into submission. However, Goujian secretly rebuilt his forces, preparing for revenge.
According to the ancient historical text “Wu Yue Chun Qiu,” the kingdom of Yue sent two beautiful women – Xi Shi and Zheng Dan – to Fuchai’s court, hoping he would become captivated by pleasures and neglect state affairs.
It seems the plan worked. Fuchai, enchanted by the beauty of the two women, gradually began to ignore the threat posed by the rival province. Meanwhile, Goujian prepared for war, and in 473 BC, the kingdom of Yue conquered the state of Wu.
The true role of Xi Shi in the downfall of the state of Wu remains unclear. The defeat was caused by poor political decisions and the military recovery of the state of Yue.
Nevertheless, the story illustrates an important concept in Chinese political strategy: exploiting an opponent’s personal weaknesses can sometimes be more effective than direct confrontation.
A similar tactic appears in the 14th-century novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” considered one of the classic works of Chinese literature.
It tells the story of Dong Zhuo, a powerful military leader who controlled the imperial court toward the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. To get rid of him, Wang Yun, a high-ranking official loyal to the Han dynasty, promised a beautiful young woman named Diaochan in marriage to Dong Zhuo’s military commander. Then, he also offered the same woman to Dong Zhuo himself.
This stratagem fueled jealousy and distrust between the two men, ultimately allowing Wang Yun to convince Dong Zhuo’s subordinate to kill him. Subsequently, Wang Yun briefly took control of the imperial court on behalf of the Han emperor.
The “honey trap” in modern espionage
In modern intelligence operations, the use of romantic or sexual relationships to approach targets, obtain sensitive information, or exert influence is commonly known as a “honey trap.” This tactic is not unique to China – Western and Soviet intelligence services frequently resorted to intimate relationships for espionage purposes during the Cold War.
There are also documented cases involving contemporary China. One example is that of French diplomat Bernard Boursicot and Chinese opera singer Shi Pei Pu. The two met in Beijing in 1964 and maintained a long-term intimate relationship. During this time, Boursicot provided China with French diplomatic documents. The espionage activity was eventually uncovered, and both individuals were prosecuted for espionage in France in the 1980s, the publication recalls.
A more recent example involves former US House Representative Eric Swalwell and Christine Fang, a person suspected of being an agent of Chinese intelligence services. In 2015, Swalwell admitted to having intimate relations with Fang on several occasions. At that time, Fang helped raise funds for Swalwell’s campaign and facilitated placing an intern in his congressional office.
Why Jensen Huang is an important strategic target
Jensen Huang’s position would make him a primary target for such a “honey trap” operation. His company has become a central element in the technological competition between the US and China.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important for economic development, military capabilities, and national security, so Washington has repeatedly tightened export restrictions on advanced AI chips to China, hoping to limit its access to computing power.
Let us also recall the statement of former US President Donald Trump, a declared supporter of the race for AI supremacy: “We are ahead of China in artificial intelligence, we are the most advanced country in the world, and frankly, I want us to stay that way. Whoever wins the race for artificial intelligence wins everything.”
Beijing is investing heavily in domestic semiconductor development. However, Chinese companies still need advanced chips to train AI models and build data centers.
From China’s perspective, advanced AI chips are essential not only for Chinese tech companies but also for future military and technological competition. This places Nvidia in a particularly important position and helps explain the national security concerns surrounding Huang.
However, the existence of strategic motives does not prove that a spying operation took place. Jensen Huang’s importance alone does not demonstrate that he was targeted by a “honey trap” or that Alice Huang acted on behalf of Chinese intelligence services. These are accusations that still require a full investigation, The Conversation emphasizes.
Espionage in the era of artificial intelligence
On the other hand, it is true that in modern politics – just like in ancient Chinese rivalries – opposing parties seek information about opponents, try to influence important decisions, and exploit weaknesses to gain strategic advantages.
What has actually changed is who controls essential strategic resources:
- In ancient China, influencing a ruler through personal relationships could affect a state’s political and military decisions. Today, establishing a connection with a high-ranking director in the tech sector can provide access to sensitive technologies.
- More than 2,000 years ago, a powerful state could lose its advantage due to its leader’s personal weaknesses. Today, political and technological power is distributed differently.
However, as long as important decisions depend on individuals, personal relationships can remain a weak point that opponents can exploit, the publication concludes.
T.D.