Außenhandel: China plant neue Exportkontrollen für Schlüsseltechnologien

Peking - China plans to tighten controls over the export of key technologies, according to a draft proposal from the Trade and Science Ministries. The draft identifies 40 critical technologies spanning areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), solar photovoltaics, and biomedicine. For 14 of these, the export will be banned outright, with 26 others requiring prior approval.

The final decisions on these new restrictions are not yet set, but applications for feedback must be submitted by November 15. As of the announcement on Friday, companies involved in technology transfers have been required to register their activities, including the sale of patents and the issuance of licenses to overseas entities.

A significant focus is on 23 AI-related technologies, including methods for large AI models and autonomous AI agents. Additional measures include procedures for manufacturing solar cells and techniques for cell and gene therapies. However, there will be exceptions for AI services and commercially available solar modules. The Trade Ministry asserts that these export controls do not target specific countries or companies.

AI could potentially be used to attack vital infrastructure, while solar technology is also used in space exploration and defense. Despite initial announcements, China had already restricted certain battery material production methods and lithium extraction processes by 2025. This new initiative is part of the ongoing technology race with the United States, which already controls the export of advanced AI chips to China.