China moves to curb tech exports, including AI, citing national security risks

China announced plans on Friday to restrict or ban exports of 40 technologies, including artificial intelligence, chips, and solar power, as its technology rivalry with nations like the United States escalates. The Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology jointly released a draft document detailing the proposed changes to China's list of export-controlled technologies.

Commerce ministry spokespersons cited national security as the primary reason for the move, which follows progress in U.S.-China dialogues on AI safety and governance, as well as the establishment of a notification mechanism for AI incidents that could threaten national security. Twenty-three AI technologies, ranging from advanced large models to agents, are now on the list, while the proposal would also prohibit exports of AI models with over 2 trillion parameters or those with certain leading capabilities.

Chip design technologies, solar power-related technologies, and five biomedicine technologies are also included in the proposed export restrictions. This crackdown appears to be a response to Western countries imposing sovereignty requirements on AI, robotics, telecommunications, and other key technologies, according to Lian Jye Su, a chief analyst at Omdia.

The U.S. Commerce Department had previously requested that Anthropic restrict access to some of its most powerful AI models due to national security concerns, though the restrictions were later lifted. As AI becomes increasingly strategic for both China and the U.S., the world is witnessing growing fragmentation in trade, investment, and technology access.