China plans export controls on 23 key AI technologies, DeepSeek and MiniMax complete registration

China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology are seeking public comments on adding 23 key AI technologies to the export control catalog, covering large models, agents, computing clusters, and information processing. Technologies already open-sourced or published in papers will not be restricted.

Officials say the move aims to keep AI safe and controllable, preventing risks like AI-generated malicious code from attacking key systems. They also encourage open source, with easy auto-approval licensing for exports such as open-source technologies.

Since the policy was announced, top AI firms DeepSeek and MiniMax have completed registration and finished open-sourcing and overseas licensing. Most AI technologies can still be freely exported, and API calls or SaaS services using restricted models are not subject to export controls.