Overview
- China’s commerce and science ministries put a draft export-control list in play that covers 23 AI technologies, and the rules require official registration for covered systems.
- A social account tied to state broadcaster CCTV reported that DeepSeek and MiniMax finished the new registration steps and began open-source releases and overseas licensing under the new process.
- China’s commerce ministry has said most AI technologies will remain exportable and that open-source exports and Chinese-run overseas data centres can use a simplified licensing route.
- Independent confirmation from DeepSeek and MiniMax was not provided to reporters, and the state-affiliated posts are the primary public source for the companies’ approvals.
- Analysts say the moves reflect Beijing’s effort to limit transfer of what it views as strategically sensitive tools while preserving channels for Chinese models to gain users abroad, which could speed international adoption of lower-cost open-source AI.