Against a backdrop of intensifying global technological competition and long-running tech tensions with the United States, China has unveiled a draft proposal to ban or impose strict licensing requirements on exports of 40 categories of critical strategic technologies, with artificial intelligence emerging as the most heavily restricted sector.
The draft amendment to China’s national export control technology list was jointly released by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technology on October 16, opening a 30-day public comment period that will run through November 15. Under the proposal, 14 of the 40 targeted technologies will face a complete export ban, while the remaining 26 will require special government approval before being transferred to foreign entities.
Of all the restricted technologies, AI-related fields account for more than half, with 23 separate technology categories subject to new controls. These include cutting-edge large AI models, autonomous AI agents, advanced chip design computing systems and processes, as well as specific manufacturing techniques for high-performance memory chips and AI processors.
According to the draft text, transfers of advanced AI models, along with their associated source code and technical data, to overseas parties will be subject to strict oversight. This regulation particularly applies to models trained on sensitive domestic Chinese data and AI systems that exceed specific performance thresholds. Autonomous AI agents designed for use in sensitive sectors, including national defense and critical information infrastructure, will also receive enhanced scrutiny. Chinese authorities emphasize that these controls are a necessary step to reduce national security risks and ensure artificial intelligence remains under effective human oversight.
Importantly, the new rules do not block all access to Chinese AI technology for foreign users. Publicly available AI resources, such as those released through academic publications and open-source platforms, are largely excluded from the proposed restrictions. Access to AI services via public websites and application programming interfaces (APIs) may also remain permitted, with eligibility determined by the nature of the technology and relevant regulatory standards.
Even though the final rules are still under public consultation, a temporary registration requirement for technology transfers covered by the draft list came into effect on October 16. This mandate applies to existing technology licenses, pending cross-border technology transfer deals, and uncompleted transactions, forcing firms seeking to export Chinese strategic technology to comply with new administrative requirements immediately. The full scope of the policy’s impact will not be clear until the consultation period concludes and the final revised regulations are published.
Beyond artificial intelligence, the proposal also adds 12 solar energy production technologies and five biomedical technology categories to the controlled list. For the renewable energy sector, the restrictions target core manufacturing processes for polysilicon — the key raw material for most global solar panels — as well as production techniques for next-generation advanced solar cells. In biomedicine, the controls cover specific technology platforms used for cell and gene therapy. Policy analysts note that the measures are focused on regulating the transfer of technical knowledge, manufacturing know-how and core process expertise, rather than imposing blanket bans on exports of finished Chinese products such as solar panels, chips or biopharmaceutical goods.
The new export controls come as China faces years of escalating technology restrictions from the United States. Washington has implemented successive rounds of bans on exports of advanced AI chips and cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing equipment to Chinese firms over the past five years. Analysts broadly frame China’s new policy as a step to tighten state control over the domestic development and global spread of its own most valuable strategic technologies, part of a growing global trend where nations are increasingly restricting cross-border technology transfers to protect national security and economic interests.
At the same time, China and the United States have been holding ongoing diplomatic talks focused on AI security and governance. The draft export rules highlight the persistent tension between global efforts to collaborate on artificial intelligence innovation and the growing priority nations place on protecting their own national economic and security interests. For foreign companies that rely on access to Chinese strategic technology for product development, licensing, or manufacturing expansion, the new rules could bring significant operational changes, with the full impact set to emerge once the final regulations take effect.