The proposed restrictions could limit overseas access to China’s most advanced models. (Photo: Bloomberg)
DeepSeek and MiniMax have won approval to deploy models overseas, part of a wave of homegrown AI technologies that Beijing will allow to operate globally, a Chinese state media affiliate said.
Much of Chinese AI will remain free for export, according to a post published by Yuyuantantian, a social account affiliated with state broadcaster China Central Television. It addressed Beijing’s draft proposal last week for export control measures that would restrict certain artificial intelligence tools and services, including large language models and agents.
The proposed restrictions could limit overseas access to China’s most advanced models, potentially slowing an international surge in adoption driven by cost-effective Chinese open-source AI.
“Since the policy was announced, leading companies DeepSeek and MiniMax have successfully completed the registration process, as well as the procedures for open-sourcing and authorizing overseas use,” according to the post published late Thursday by Yuyuantantian. “AI companies can continue their commercialization efforts as usual.”
Chinese startups have made significant strides closing the gap on US market leaders this year. Beyond more affordable pricing, they’ve also attracted users by making their models easier to customize than proprietary systems like the ones on offer from OpenAI and Anthropic PBC. Beijing’s interest in controlling the export of what’s seen as strategically important technology has shown up most prominently in the way it forced the unwinding of Meta Platforms Inc.’s acquisition of Manus, an AI agent startup with Chinese roots.
China regularly updates its catalog of technologies that are prohibited or restricted from export. In 2020, Beijing added algorithms to the list, after the first administration of US President Donald Trump threatened to ban TikTok unless the app sold its US assets to an American company.
The latest revisions have been in development since the first half of the year, with government departments consulting and integrating feedback from research institutions and industry participants, Yuyuantantian said. The post stressed that the catalog aims to “define boundaries rather than simply restrict the export of AI technology.”
There are significant carveouts to the proposed regulations. Providing API access, web applications or software-as-a-service features will not be subject to export restrictions, even if powered by restricted underlying models, according to the post.
The post contrasted Beijing’s approach with that of Washington, accusing the US of using targeted export bans and technology blockades to protect its competitive dominance.
“China, however, is not following this path,” the post added.
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