China Proposes New Export Bans and Restrictions on 40 Technologies
Across AI, Biotechnology and Solar Power
The draft plan would cover 14
technologies ranging from artificial intelligence to photovoltaic solar power
·
Draft plan announced: China on
16 October 2026 unveiled a proposal to impose new export controls on
technologies across artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology and
photovoltaic solar power.
·
14 technologies proposed for export bans: The
draft identifies 14 technologies that would face export bans, including:
o
AI-driven technologies for generating and mutating
malicious code.
o
Certain cell and gene therapy technology platforms.
o
Technologies for manufacturing certain types of
solar cell modules.
·
Restrictions on another 26 technologies: The
proposal identifies an additional 26 technologies across the three
sectors for fresh export restrictions.
·
Public consultation: China’s
Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology will conduct a one-month
public consultation, beginning on 16 October 2026.
·
National security concerns: China
said the measures are intended to prevent technologies from being exploited to
attack critical national computing infrastructure, defence and military
installations, and core government functions.
·
Prevention of misuse:
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the proposed controls aim to prevent
malicious exploitation of sensitive technologies, strengthen security
safeguards and ensure that AI remains under human control.
·
Global security implications: China
argued that access to these technologies by malicious entities or non-state
actors could threaten both national and international security.
Key Takeaway: China is
proposing export bans on 14 technologies and additional restrictions on 26
others, strengthening its control over strategically sensitive AI,
biotechnology and solar-power technologies. The measures remain at the draft
stage pending public consultation.
China
on Friday (16.10.2026) unveiled a draft plan to impose new export bans
affecting 14 technologies in sectors ranging from artificial intelligence to
biotechnology and photovoltaic solar power.
The
notice – jointly issued by China’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science
and Technology – proposes export bans for AI-driven technology for generating
and mutating malicious code; certain cell and gene therapy technology
platforms; and technology for producing certain kinds of solar cell modules.
It
also lists a further 26 technologies from the three sectors that would face
fresh export restrictions.
The
government will begin a one-month public consultation for the draft plan
starting on Friday.
The
new measures are designed to ensure that artificial intelligence technology
remains safe and controllable, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
The
technologies included could be exploited to attack sensitive systems, including
critical national computing infrastructure, defence and military installations,
and core government functions, or used to bypass national security defence
architectures, it added.
“If
acquired by non-state actors or malicious entities, these technologies could
pose a grave threat to national security and common global security,” it said.
“The
Chinese government is implementing necessary management over such technologies
to build a firm baseline for security, prevent misuse and malicious
exploitation, ensure that AI remains strictly under human control, and advance
international AI governance.”