DeepSeek and MiniMax Complete Export Registration Under China's New AI Technology Restrictions
DeepSeek and MiniMax have completed registration procedures and finalized open-sourcing and overseas authorized use following China's new export control framework for AI technologies. The Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology publicly solicited opinions on October 16 regarding revisions to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited and Restricted from Export, which covers 23 AI-related technologies including large models, agents, computing power clusters, and information processing.
The policy announcement sparked debate over whether it signaled a shift away from China's emphasis on technological openness. However, the Ministry of Commerce's related Q&A provided notably more detailed explanations of "what is not regulated" than "what is to be regulated," indicating the Catalogue's core purpose is to delineate boundaries rather than broadly restrict AI technology exports. Both leading companies moved swiftly through compliance processes, suggesting the regulatory framework targets specific technology categories while preserving pathways for legitimate international collaboration.
