Chinese suit, rusty mandarin: How Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang won hearts in Beijing

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, known globally for his signature black leather jacket, captivated millions of Chinese fans last week by donning a traditional Tang suit and speaking in rusty Mandarin at the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE). His unexpected sartorial choice and linguistic effort marked his third visit to China this year and instantly went viral across the mainland's social media.

The five-day expo in Beijing saw the  “Leather Jacket Guy” opt for a "new Tang suit" — a modern Chinese-style outfit adapted from the traditional magua jacket — for the opening ceremony, a notable departure from his usual attire, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. While the Nvidia CEO offered no specific reason for the change this time, the fashion choice garnered widespread praise, with netizens calling him "dignified" and "ideal for traditional Chinese attire." Many also interpreted it as a "friendly signal" to China, welcoming an "approachable, charismatic entrepreneur."

Huang further surprised the audience by beginning his speech in Mandarin, a clip that quickly amassed over 9 million views on Chinese social media platform, Weibo. He later revealed this was at the expo's host and chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Despite stumbling slightly, Huang said in Mandarin, "I am very happy to be here in China. This is my first time at the China International Supply Chain Expo. It is such a grand event with a vibrant atmosphere that showcases China’s strong belief in innovation and encourages the spirit of craftsmanship." Switching to English with a smile, he humorously added, "so I don’t torture you for the rest of the day," drawing hearty laughter.

Huang's easy-going charm and approachable demeanor deeply resonated with Chinese fans. SCMP quoted one online observer remarked on his "surprisingly good Mandarin pronunciation, especially the tones," while another quipped, "Looks like Huang is ready to forge deeper ties with China. Maybe next time he will serenade us with a Chinese song." Even in Beijing’s sweltering summer heat, Huang had previously been spotted in his heavy leather jacket posing with Xiaomi founder Lei Jun, humorously telling local reporters that his only suit was "a bit worn out" and at the dry cleaner.