China Proposes Export Curbs on AI Models, Chips and Solar Tech

A model with at least 2 trillion parameters could face export limits under China’s new draft rules. The proposal names no specific AI model, but reports identify Moonshot AI’s Kimi K3 and Alibaba’s Qwen 3.8-Max as models above that size. China’s commerce and science ministries published the draft Friday, putting advanced AI at the center of a proposed list of 40 technologies. ^1,2

Those 40 technologies span three fields: 23 in AI, 12 in solar power and five in biomedicine. The AI proposals would ban exports of core technology from large models trained on sensitive national data. They would also ban exports of agents built for sensitive uses such as defence or key information systems. Other model exports could be restricted based on size or world-leading abilities. The rules also cover chip design know-how, including designs for advanced AI chips. ^2,3

Those chip rules matter because controls can cover knowledge and services, not just physical products. The draft would cover certain chip designs, including technology for chips made at 14 nanometres or below and for stacked-chip designs. Open-source code and published research are exempt, and Chinese firms can still serve overseas users through apps, websites and APIs. The ministry says firms running covered models on their own overseas cloud servers could get a licence automatically. ^1,3

That access is not a blanket green light for exports. A temporary registration rule took effect Friday and requires exporters to register listed items, including deals not yet complete. China says the measures aim to prevent misuse and keep AI under human control. The proposals also come as Washington restricts China’s access to leading chips and chipmaking equipment. The public can comment on the draft until November 15, after which the ministries can decide on the final catalogue. ^1,2