The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has proposed export controls on 23 artificial intelligence technologies. The list includes AI models, agents, and computing clusters. Officials cite national security concerns, specifically the potential for these tools to facilitate the creation of autonomous malware targeting civil infrastructure.
Despite these restrictions, access to Chinese AI models via API will remain open for individual users. Popular models such as DeepSeek V4.1 Flash and Step 5 Preview will continue to be available internationally. Furthermore, existing open-source licenses and scientific publications are expected to remain unaffected by the new policy.
The proposed regulations also extend beyond AI, covering sectors such as solar energy and biotechnology, including gene and cell therapy. These measures are viewed as a reciprocal response to United States restrictions on Chinese access to advanced semiconductor chips.
The new framework allows Chinese companies to license their technologies abroad without transferring intellectual property. While the most advanced models may become less accessible in their raw form, the continued availability of API access ensures their ongoing presence in the global market.
