China revealed an extensive draft proposal to limit exports of over 40 advanced technologies, encompassing solar production technologies, AI models, and various biotech platforms.
Several technologies associated with the production of solar cells have been identified for either a total export ban or limited exports.
Although the draft proposal does not limit the majority of solar exports, the newly implemented regulations on advanced solar manufacturing technologies may affect countries like India in their attempts to lessen reliance on China as they aim to advance within the solar industry.
A variety of AI-powered technologies have been included in the draft plan revealed on Friday by the Ministry of Commerce alongside the Ministry of Science and Technology, named “Announcement No. 48.”
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It encompasses 40 essential technologies in the areas of AI, biomedicine, and photovoltaics. Among these, 14 technologies were suggested for a total ban on export, including the manufacturing technologies for Perovskite and tandem solar-cell modules, AI-driven technologies capable of generating and altering harmful code, and certain platforms associated with cell and gene therapy.
An additional 26 technologies were identified for restricted exports, including polysilicon engineering technologies utilized in solar cell production, provided they relate to production lines with yearly output capacities of no less than 30,000 tonnes.
Regarding photovoltaics controls, the statement indicated that China was incorporating 12 photovoltaic technologies, which include polysilicon production, wafer fabrication, and solar cell manufacturing.
Referencing the necessity to “protect national security and interests,” the statement indicated that “photovoltaic technologies are being more widely utilized in aerospace, defense, unmanned systems, and other critical areas; consequently, the national-security consequences of technology exports have escalated.”
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It stated that “only a restricted range of technologies would be subject to regulation” and “other solar technologies would still be freely exportable.” Regarding the suggested AI regulations, the spokesperson noted that although “most AI technologies will remain largely exportable,” China is introducing 23 critical AI technologies, which include foundation models, intelligent agents, computing clusters, and information-processing technologies.
Technologies like automated harmful-code creation and modification might be employed to attack essential infrastructure, defense systems, and central government networks or to bypass national security protections,” the statement added. “If these technologies fell into the hands of harmful individuals, they could pose risks to national security and greater human safety.” China aims to create security measures, deter abuse, and guarantee that AI stays managed by humans.
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The declaration emphasized that China continues to be “dedicated to creating an open-source AI innovation ecosystem,” and that open-source AI initiatives and international chip manufacturing endeavors “would qualify for support measures,” whereas technologies already accessible to the public through open-source releases or scholarly articles would “typically be free from export restrictions.”