China is considering new restrictions on the export of 40 advanced technologies spanning artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor design, solar energy and biomedicine, as Beijing seeks to strengthen its control over strategically important innovations amid growing technological competition with the United States.
The proposal was published on October 16 by China’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology, which opened a public consultation on planned changes to the country’s export control list. Interested parties have until November 15, 2026, to submit their comments before the authorities decide on the next steps.
Artificial intelligence accounts for the largest share of the proposed measures, highlighting the growing importance of advanced AI systems and the computing infrastructure required to develop and operate them.
Artificial Intelligence Leads China’s Proposed Export Controls
Of the 40 technologies under consideration, 23 are related to artificial intelligence. The proposed list covers advanced AI models, intelligent agents and clusters of computing systems used to train, develop and operate sophisticated AI applications.
These technologies have become increasingly important as governments and companies compete to develop more capable AI systems. Access to advanced models, specialized computing infrastructure and the expertise required to build them can provide significant advantages across industries, from manufacturing and finance to cybersecurity and scientific research.
Some AI Technologies Could Require Export Licenses
Under the proposed framework, certain technologies could face outright export bans, while others would require government approval or special licenses before they could be transferred overseas.
The measures would also cover the transfer of relevant technologies and intellectual property rights to entities outside China, extending beyond the physical shipment of equipment.
However, the proposal does not amount to a blanket ban on foreign access to Chinese AI products. According to Reuters, accessing AI models through applications, websites and application programming interfaces (APIs) would not be restricted in the same way under the proposed rules.
Open-source technologies and those already disclosed in scientific publications are also expected to remain largely outside the scope of the restrictions.
This distinction could be important for international businesses that rely on Chinese AI services. Rather than cutting off access to all Chinese-developed models, the proposed controls would focus more directly on sensitive technologies and the transfer of underlying capabilities.
Semiconductor Restrictions Target Critical Chip Technologies
The proposed measures also cover selected semiconductor design technologies, including those associated with AI processors and computer memory.
Advanced chips are essential to the development of powerful AI systems, supporting the large-scale calculations required to train models and run complex applications. As demand for computing power continues to grow, semiconductor design has become a central part of the broader technological rivalry between China and the United States.
Restrictions on transferring chip-related technologies could affect companies seeking access to Chinese expertise or specialized design capabilities. The potential impact would depend on which technologies ultimately receive export controls and how strictly the rules are enforced.
The proposal comes against a backdrop of longstanding US restrictions on exports to China of advanced semiconductors and equipment used to manufacture them.
Washington has introduced measures intended to limit China’s access to certain high-performance computing capabilities, citing national security and concerns about the potential military applications of advanced technologies.
Beijing’s latest initiative reflects its own efforts to regulate the movement of strategically sensitive technology beyond its borders.
Solar Energy and Biomedicine Also Included
Artificial intelligence is the main focus of the proposed list, but the measures extend into other industries where China has developed substantial technological expertise.
Solar Manufacturing Technologies Face New Scrutiny
The proposal includes 12 technologies associated with the solar energy sector, particularly processes used in the production of polysilicon.
Polysilicon is a key raw material in the manufacturing of photovoltaic products, including the solar cells used to convert sunlight into electricity. Technologies involved in its production play an important role in the wider solar supply chain.
China has a significant position in global solar manufacturing, making potential export restrictions relevant to international companies seeking to establish or expand production outside the country.
If the proposed controls are adopted, access to certain Chinese production methods and technical expertise could become more complicated for overseas manufacturers. The extent of any disruption would depend on the specific technologies covered and the availability of alternative suppliers or production techniques.
Five Technologies in Biomedicine Could Be Affected
The proposed list also includes five technologies in the biomedical sector, covering areas such as cell and gene therapies.
These fields are important to the development of advanced treatments and specialized medical technologies. Restrictions on transferring certain technical capabilities could influence international research partnerships, commercial licensing arrangements and the development of biomedical products.
As with the other sectors, the proposal does not establish that all related research or medical products would be prohibited from crossing China’s borders. The practical consequences would depend on the final rules and the particular technologies designated for control.
