China plans AI export curbs to exert control over key tech

China has proposed adding advanced AI technologies to its export-control list, potentially restricting the overseas transfer of AI models and chip designs. The draft proposal covers 23 AI technologies, including large language models, chip designs, and computing clusters. Chinese AI startups have made significant progress in closing the gap on US industry leaders, with models like Kimi K3 and DeepSeek offering better pricing and open weights.

This move is part of a broader effort to control 40 technologies across industries where Chinese companies have become increasingly competitive, including five biomedical technologies and 12 solar technologies. The proposal aims to ensure the safety and controllability of the technology, citing the risk of misuse for attacking critical infrastructure, defense industries, and core government systems by non-state actors or malicious entities.

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