The Chinese government says a preliminary investigation found that the US chipmaker Nvidia violated the country's anti-monopoly law.



China's State Administration for Market Regulation, which is the country's top market watchdog, made the announcement on Monday.



It came a day after senior officials of the two countries began bilateral trade talks in the Spanish capital of Madrid.



The statement did not elaborate on how Nvidia might have violated the Chinese law. But it also said the chipmaker is suspected of having violated conditions presented by the Chinese government in 2020 over its acquisition of an Israeli firm.



It said that the watchdog would launch a further probe into Nvidia.



If the violations are confirmed, massive fines may be imposed on the firm.



The Chinese government announced on Saturday that it will investigate suspicions that the United States has taken discriminatory measures against China in the semiconductor sector.