Top Chinese tech companies, including Alibaba and ByteDance, are shifting their AI training operations to Southeast Asia to access Nvidia's chips while bypassing U.S. restrictions. A report from the Financial Times highlights that these firms are using offshore data centers owned by non-Chinese entities to train their large language models. The move comes after the U.S. imposed sales restrictions on certain advanced chips, like the H20, earlier this year. The trend of outsourcing AI training has intensified since the U.S. export bans were enacted in April. Chinese companies typically rely on lease agreements for these overseas facilities. DeepSeek stands out as an exception, having amassed a significant stock of Nvidia chips before the restrictions took effect and continuing to train its models domestically. Furthermore, DeepSeek is partnering with domestic chip manufacturers, primarily Huawei, to refine and advance China's AI chip technology. Despite inquiries, Alibaba, ByteDance, DeepSeek, and Huawei have not provided comments on the report. This shift in strategy reflects a broader trend among Chinese firms to adapt to geopolitical pressures while striving to maintain their technological edge.