---
title: China to regulate export of 23 AI technologies
url: https://www.elseif.net/china-to-regulate-export-of-23-ai-technologies
published: 2026-10-20T15:10:10+00:00
language: en
section: Models
source: https://japan.cnet.com/article/35253670/
organizations: Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Science and Technology
publisher: elseif
---

# China to regulate export of 23 AI technologies

China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology announced a proposal on October 16 to restrict the export of 23 technologies related to large-scale AI models and autonomous AI agents. The proposal aims to regulate the transfer of AI technologies abroad while excluding services provided through APIs or apps. The proposal is part of a broader plan to regulate 40 technologies across three fields: AI, biopharmaceuticals, and solar power generation. Of these, 14 technologies will be subject to export bans, and 26 will face export restrictions. The AI-related technologies include large-scale models, AI agents, and technologies related to server clusters that handle AI computations. The public consultation period for the proposal ends on November 15, and the current proposal is still in the draft stage. The Ministry of Commerce clarified that the regulation targets the transfer of restricted AI technologies from within China to abroad.

If models are moved overseas for operation, they will be subject to management. However, operations in environments where technology management is relatively easy, such as overseas self-owned clouds, will be subject to simplified procedures, such as automatic approval. Services that provide the functions of large-scale AI models to overseas users through APIs, apps, or websites will not be subject to the export management of large-scale model technologies. The use of such models in Software as a Service or the operation of small-scale AI models on devices will also be excluded. Technologies that have already been made public through open-source releases or academic papers will not be subject to management. However, for new open-source releases of AI technologies, simplified procedures such as automatic approval will be applied. Concurrently with the public consultation on the regulatory proposal, mandatory pre-export registration for the targeted technologies began on October 16. This temporary measure aims to understand the reality of technology transfers abroad and address potential risks before the formal implementation of export bans and restrictions.

The registration targets cases where technology ownership or usage rights are transferred abroad, or where the effective controller of the technology becomes a foreign entity or individual. This registration is separate from the export licensing procedure. The registration obligation will continue until the revised technology catalog is formally implemented. Even if technology exports have already begun but not yet completed, they will be subject to registration. The Ministry of Commerce cited concerns about the misuse of AI for generating malicious programs that could attack critical infrastructure or defense-related systems. The ministry emphasized that the measures are not targeted at specific countries, regions, or companies.