Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang is drawing sympathy and disbelief in Taiwan, his birthplace, after revelations about his private life and reports that he may have been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort. In the Taipei shops and restaurants he visits on his trips to the island, regulars who know him say they are standing by him while the company's board and the FBI examine the claims.

Huang, who was born in the historic capital of Tainan before moving to the United States as a child, has rock-star status in Taiwan, where domestic media call the excitement around his visits "Jensanity". Adoring fans and reporters follow his every move when he is in Taipei, and he has repeatedly praised the island's technology companies, including the chipmaker TSMC, for their role in the artificial intelligence boom.

Shock at the news that Nvidia's board and the FBI are investigating whether Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence effort is palpable in the small businesses he frequents. "I thought it must be a lie, or fake news," said Hsiao Kui-yu, 68, whose shop selling dried and candied fruit is among Huang's regular stops at Taipei's Siping market. "We think of him as such a good boss, who takes such good care of people. How could something like this happen? Is it possible? I'm very suspicious," she told Reuters.

His barber, Ray Wang, 57, said the two had formed a bond when Huang first visited in 2017. "Every day I pray for Mr. Huang, hoping he gets through this difficult time," he said. "I really want to write him a letter of encouragement, but I feel this isn't a good time, because he's very busy."

What is Huang accused of?

Huang has not been charged with any offence. On 8 November he told Nvidia staff in an email that he had been unfaithful to his wife, apologising and saying there was no excuse for his actions. Reports identify the woman as Alice Huang, a former executive at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based data-centre company and Nvidia customer. US intelligence officials suspect she was recruited by China's Ministry of State Security, according to reports, and the woman has previously been pictured with Huang on his visits to Taiwan.

Nvidia's board has opened an independent investigation, saying it will carefully review all available information. The board said it had "no basis to believe that national security or Nvidia's confidential information has been compromised" and that it had confidence in Huang and the management team. Huang has agreed to cooperate fully with the inquiry and remains chief executive. China's foreign ministry has called the spy allegation unsubstantiated.

Taiwan's government stays silent

Taiwan's government has declined to address the details of the case directly, including the espionage claims. Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi told reporters at parliament on Tuesday: "I have no evidence, nor do I have the authority to investigate," when asked if he believed the woman was a spy.

Taiwan's Economic Daily News reported on Tuesday that the island's partners were most worried about a situation in which Huang could no longer keep his post or had to step back temporarily from decision-making, which it said could bring a "subtle chemical change" in the relationship between Nvidia, Taiwan and the Taiwanese supply chain. Analysts quoted in the press noted that the board would find it hard to impose real penalties, given Huang's sweeping authority over the company.

Others in Taipei took a more forgiving view. "It was good that Huang had acknowledged his mistake in having an affair," said academic Liu I-li, 49, as he waited for a table outside a pork knuckle restaurant Huang likes. "We can't judge a person by just one thing. We should look at them more comprehensively. Nobody is without flaws."

Frequently asked questions

Has Jensen Huang been charged with anything? No. No criminal charges have been reported against Huang or the woman, and Nvidia's board says it has no basis to believe company secrets were compromised.

Why does the case matter for Taiwan? Huang is a frequent visitor and a champion of Taiwan's chip industry, and local media say partners fear any change in his role could affect Nvidia's close ties with the island's supply chain.