China proposes export controls on 40 AI, solar and biotech technologies citing national security

Beijing has moved to restrict or ban exports of 40 advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence systems, biopharmaceuticals and solar power components, in a direct mirror of the US-led curbs that have blocked China from accessing cutting-edge chips. China's ministries of commerce and science and technology published the draft list on Friday, opening a public consultation that runs until 15 November. The proposal covers 23 AI technologies, including large language models, intelligent agents and computing clusters — the core building blocks of China's AI industry.

Exports of AI models trained on sensitive national data, and agents designed for defence or critical infrastructure use, would be outright banned under the draft rules.

AI models with parameter counts of 2 trillion or above, or with world-leading capabilities, face potential restrictions — though open-source technologies already in the public domain would be exempt.

Beijing says the move is not targeted at any specific country but is needed to 'prevent misuse and abuse' as major economies increasingly treat AI and clean energy as national security assets.