China proposed AI export restrictions in mid-October, then cleared DeepSeek and MiniMax to keep shipping abroad. Beijing wants export industries and leverage at the same time, the license list is the

What happened: China's Ministry of Commerce proposed export restrictions on AI technologies in mid-October, then authorized DeepSeek and MiniMax to continue exports. Open source licensed tech is exempt from the restrictions. Why it matters: Letting the two companies sell abroad supports China's goals of creating export industries and enhancing its tech sector, while the expanded catalogue lets Beijing halt exports of AI it deems important sovereign capacity. Key numbers: Restrictions announced mid-October; 23 technologies added to the list; authorization reported last Friday.

China's Ministry of Commerce proposed export restrictions on AI technologies in mid-October, then authorized DeepSeek and MiniMax to continue exports. Open source licensed tech is exempt from the restrictions.

Letting the two companies sell abroad supports China's goals of creating export industries and enhancing its tech sector, while the expanded catalogue lets Beijing halt exports of AI it deems important sovereign capacity. Key numbers: Restrictions announced mid-October; 23 technologies added to the list; authorization reported last Friday.