China Power | Economy | East Asia

China Wants Its AI to Go Global, on Its Own Terms

Beijing also wants tailored control over what technology leaves, who acquires it, and what remains in the hands of the Chinese government.

China wants its artificial intelligence (AI) to go global. But Beijing also wants tailored control over what leaves, who acquires it, and what remains in the hands of the Chinese government. That’s the tension behind proposed revisions to technology export measures, announced on October 16. Spurring international adoption while retaining authority over strategic technology creates room for China to exert leverage over those who use or build on Chinese AI abroad.

Announcement No. 48 from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) proposed adding 23 AI technologies to its Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export. Public comments are open until November 15; pre-export registration, however, took effect immediately, even though the classifications are not yet final. The formal scope looks narrow, with MOFCOM noting most AI technology will remain freely exportable.

Get to the bottom of the story

Subscribe today and join thousands of diplomats, analysts, policy professionals and business readers who rely on The Diplomat for expert Asia-Pacific coverage.

Get unlimited access to in-depth analysis you won't find anywhere else, from South China Sea tensions to ASEAN diplomacy to India-Pakistan relations. More than 5,000 articles a year.

Unlimited articles and expert analysis

Weekly newsletter with exclusive insights

16-year archive of diplomatic coverage

Ad-free reading on all devices

Support independent journalism

Already have an account? Log in.

China wants its artificial intelligence (AI) to go global. But Beijing also wants tailored control over what leaves, who acquires it, and what remains in the hands of the Chinese government. That’s the tension behind proposed revisions to technology export measures, announced on October 16. Spurring international adoption while retaining authority over strategic technology creates room for China to exert leverage over those who use or build on Chinese AI abroad.

Announcement No. 48 from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) proposed adding 23 AI technologies to its Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export. Public comments are open until November 15; pre-export registration, however, took effect immediately, even though the classifications are not yet final. The formal scope looks........

© The Diplomat