AI CURATED HOT STORY · 10/23/2026
China's Ministry of Commerce implemented new AI technology export controls effective October 16, officially categorizing the public release of model weights and code (open source) as controlled exports. In response, leading AI firms DeepSeek and MiniMax have successfully completed government registration procedures, securing compliance licenses to continue their open-source releases and overseas authorizations within the new regulatory framework.
Cross-verified reports indicate that while the new rules list 23 key technologies, including large models and agents, under control, they explicitly exempt technologies already in the public domain or published in academic papers. Crucially, most commercial applications such as API calls, SaaS services, and on-device deployments remain free for export. This policy design aims to balance national security concerns with the facilitation of tech globalization, ensuring core algorithmic assets are monitored without hindering normal commercial expansion.
This move marks a new phase of "compliant globalization" for China's AI industry. The swift response from DeepSeek and MiniMax alleviates market fears regarding potential blocks on their open-source strategies and provides a replicable compliance path for other Chinese AI vendors. By establishing clear registration processes, regulators seek to strike a balance between protecting domestic technological advantages and maintaining connections with the global developer ecosystem, thereby stabilizing international investor confidence in China's AI supply chain.
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