China has proposed adding 40 artificial intelligence, biotechnology and solar technologies to its restricted technology-export catalogue, expanding Beijing’s control over some of its fastest-growing strategic industries.
The proposal covers 23 AI technologies, five biomedical technologies and 12 photovoltaic technologies.
It would place new restrictions on areas including large AI models, autonomous agents, computing clusters, cell and gene therapies, small-nucleic-acid drugs and technologies used to manufacture polysilicon, wafers and solar cells.
The move comes as China’s technology companies become increasingly competitive internationally and as Beijing faces growing restrictions from the United States and other countries on access to advanced chips and semiconductor equipment.
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AI Models and Computing Technologies Face New Controls
Artificial intelligence forms the largest part of the proposed revision.
China plans to add 23 AI-related technologies covering large models, intelligent agents, computing clusters and information-processing systems.
Technology exports involving those areas could require government approval once the catalogue is formally revised.
China is also introducing an immediate temporary registration system.
Companies exporting technologies covered by the proposal must register transactions with the Ministry of Commerce while the consultation and formal revision process continues.
The registration requirement applies to transfers of technology ownership, licensing agreements allowing overseas use and situations where ownership or control of a Chinese technology company shifts to an overseas entity.
It also applies to exports that have already started but have not yet been completed.
However, China has carved out an important exemption.
Technologies that are already publicly available through open-source releases or published academic research will not be subject to the restrictions.
That distinction could allow companies such as DeepSeek, Alibaba and other Chinese AI developers to continue releasing open models internationally while Beijing maintains greater control over proprietary technologies.
What the AI Restrictions Could Mean
The rules do not mean Chinese AI services will automatically become unavailable overseas.
Reuters reported that foreign users could still access Chinese AI models through websites, apps, APIs and software-as-a-service platforms.
The controls instead focus heavily on transferring the underlying technology itself.
For example, a Chinese company licensing proprietary model technology or transferring ownership of key AI intellectual property to a foreign business could face additional scrutiny.
That gives Beijing more control over where advanced Chinese AI capabilities are transferred and how they are commercialised abroad.
The restrictions also cover AI agents.
These are systems capable of carrying out multi-step tasks with limited human supervision, including interacting with software, making decisions and taking actions.
More powerful agents have raised security concerns because the same capabilities that help automate business processes could potentially be used for cyberattacks or other harmful activities.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said the revision is part of routine technology-trade management and is not aimed at any particular country, region or organisation.
Biotech and Solar Industries Also Included
The proposal extends beyond AI.
Five biomedical technologies would be added, including technologies related to cell and gene therapy, small-nucleic-acid medicines and pathogenic microorganisms.
China has become an increasingly important source of pharmaceutical research and drug-development deals.
Chinese biotech companies have signed major licensing agreements with international pharmaceutical groups seeking access to new treatments developed in the country.
The proposed rules could give Beijing more oversight over transfers of valuable biomedical intellectual property.
However, some licensing arrangements that do not involve transferring ownership may qualify for simplified or automatic licensing.
Solar technology is another major target.
Twelve photovoltaic technologies are covered, including processes used in polysilicon manufacturing, silicon-wafer production and solar-cell manufacturing.
The restrictions can also apply to critical equipment carrying those technologies.
China dominates large parts of the global solar manufacturing supply chain.
Greater control over manufacturing know-how could make it harder for competitors to reproduce some advanced Chinese production processes abroad without approval.
Technology Controls Become Another Tool in US-China Rivalry
The proposal arrives against the backdrop of intensifying technology competition between Beijing and Washington.
The United States has spent years restricting China’s access to advanced AI chips and semiconductor-manufacturing equipment.
Those controls are intended to limit China’s ability to build the most powerful AI computing systems.
China has increasingly responded by strengthening its own controls over technologies and materials where it has significant market power.
Beijing has previously tightened exports of strategic minerals and technologies used in sectors including semiconductors and clean energy.
The latest proposal suggests advanced AI know-how is becoming another strategic asset that governments increasingly want to control.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said the changes were intended to safeguard national security while facilitating legitimate technology trade.
Public consultation will run from October 16 to November 15 before authorities decide on the final wording.
What this means for you:
China is moving from protecting physical supply chains to controlling advanced technological know-how itself. Companies relying on Chinese AI, biotech or solar technology may face new licensing and compliance requirements when transferring proprietary technology across borders.
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