Business · Trade · 2 hrs ago
China proposes export controls on 40 technologies, including AI and solar
China has proposed new export controls on 40 technologies in artificial intelligence, solar power and biotechnology.
The draft, announced by the commerce and science ministries, would ban exports of 14 technologies and restrict 26 others.
The proposed measures cover areas including advanced AI models, solar-cell manufacturing and cell and gene therapy.
Most AI and solar technologies would remain freely exportable, but the controls target technologies China says could pose security risks if misused or spread without control.
The move comes as China and the United States compete over strategic technologies, while US-led restrictions have limited China’s access to some advanced chips and chipmaking equipment.
The controls could affect countries seeking to build solar manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on Chinese technology.
A one-month public consultation starts Friday, after which China may decide whether to adopt the draft measures.
China has proposed export controls on 40 technologies across artificial intelligence, biomedicine and solar power.
The draft, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technology, proposes bans on 14 technologies and restrictions on 26 others.
The technologies include AI models and agents, chip design, solar manufacturing and cell and gene therapy.
China’s commerce ministry said the controls are intended to protect national security and prevent misuse or uncontrolled spread of sensitive technologies.
The draft is open for public consultation for one month, starting Friday.
- Who
- China’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology issued the draft.
- What
- China proposed export bans or restrictions on 40 technologies in AI, biomedicine and solar power.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- China.
- Why
- The commerce ministry cited national security and the need to prevent misuse and uncontrolled spread of technologies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The U.S. Commerce Department asked Anthropic to bar foreign nationals from using some of its most powerful AI models, citing national security concerns; the restrictions were later lifted.
China published its draft export controls and began a one-month public consultation.
- Technologies covered
- 40
- Proposed export bans
- 14 technologies
- Proposed export restrictions
- 26 technologies
- AI technologies
- 23
- Solar technologies
- 12
- Biomedicine technologies
- 5
4 sources
What people are saying
necessary
photovoltaic technologies are increasingly being used in aerospace, defence, unmanned systems and other sensitive sectors; as a result, the national-security implications of technology exports have increased.
most AI technologies will continue to be freely exportable
can be seen as a response to Western countries posting sovereignty requirements on AI, robotics, telecommunications, and other key technologies