Trade: China is planning new export controls for key technologies

Beijing wants to control the export of AI and solar technology more closely. The rules are still being prepared, but the first obligations already apply.

Shenzhen. China wants to control more closely what technical knowledge goes abroad. The Ministry of Trade and Science presented a draft for 40 key technologies from the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), photovoltaics and biomedicine. Exports are to be banned for 14 of them, and permits are to be required for the remaining 26.

The new bans and approval requirements have not yet been decided. Comments can be submitted until November 15th. Since the announcement was published on Friday, companies have had to register affected technology transfers. These include, for example, the sale of property rights and the granting of licenses abroad.

The focus is on 23 AI technologies. This includes procedures for large AI models and so-called AI agents that carry out tasks largely independently. Further plans concern manufacturing processes for solar cells as well as techniques for cell and gene therapies.

Exceptions for AI services and finished solar modules

According to the ministry, access to AI services via apps and websites will remain exempt from the new export controls. This also applies to AI technologies that are already publicly available. In the case of solar technology, individual production systems are recorded, but finished solar modules are not subject to the planned controls.

The Ministry of Commerce cited security risks. AI can be used to attack important infrastructure. Solar technology is also used in space travel and defense. The measures were not directed against specific countries or companies.

China had already restricted certain processes for the production of battery materials and lithium extraction in 2025. There were also approval requirements for certain rare earths and products made from them. The new initiative falls into the technology competition with the USA, which in turn controls the export of powerful AI chips to China.