China Considers Stricter Export Controls on AI and Chips

The Ministry of Commerce of China is considering the implementation of tighter export controls on artificial intelligence and semiconductor technologies. This initiative aims to ensure that critical domestic assets and strategic technologies remain within the country's borders.

Regulators have consulted with major domestic technology firms, including Alibaba Group, ByteDance, and Zhipu, regarding potential restrictions on the overseas transfer of training data and the downloading of model weights by foreign users. The ministry is also exploring measures to prevent foreign chipmakers, such as TSMC and Qualcomm Inc., from manufacturing advanced semiconductors based on designs from Chinese companies like Huawei Inc.

These proposed measures may be incorporated into the next revision of China's catalogue of technologies prohibited or restricted from export. The expanded regulations could further include restrictions on the overseas acquisition of strategic technology, specifically in the field of agentic AI.