China tightens grip on global technology exports with new controls on AI, biotech and solar energy
China has unveiled sweeping plans to prohibit or restrict exports of 40 critical technologies, targeting artificial intelligence, biotechnology and solar energy while immediately introducing mandatory registration requirements for overseas technology transfers.
BEIJING, Oct. 16, 2026 — China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology announced the proposed expansion of the country's Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export, covering 14 technologies designated for outright export prohibition and another 26 subject to export restrictions. The measures, announced under Joint Announcement No. 48 of 2026, represent a significant expansion of China's technology export control framework, with immediate compliance implications for companies transferring sensitive technologies overseas.
The proposed controls encompass 23 artificial intelligence technologies, five biomedical technologies and 12 photovoltaic technologies. Prohibited technologies would include AI-driven malicious code generation and mutation, proprietary cell and gene therapy platforms, and certain perovskite and tandem solar cell manufacturing processes. Restricted technologies would include AI-assisted vulnerability discovery, advanced biomedical research techniques and polysilicon production technologies involving individual production lines with annual capacities of at least 30,000 metric tons. The photovoltaic provisions also extend to certain critical equipment incorporating controlled technologies.
Although the revised catalogue remains subject to public consultation until Nov. 15, China has introduced immediate temporary registration requirements covering the affected technologies. Exporters must register qualifying transactions with the Ministry of Commerce before transferring technology overseas, including intellectual property transfers, licensing arrangements and changes in ownership or effective control to foreign entities. The requirements also apply to transactions already underway but not completed, and will remain in force until the revised catalogue formally takes effect.
The ministry emphasized that the measures are not directed at any particular country, region or entity, describing them as necessary to prevent the uncontrolled proliferation of sensitive technologies. Officials also outlined exemptions and simplified licensing arrangements intended to preserve international cooperation. Publicly available AI technologies, including those released through open-source projects or academic publications, would fall outside the controls. The ministry further clarified that providing access to restricted AI models through application programming interfaces, software services or web applications would generally not constitute a controlled technology export, although certain overseas deployments would remain subject to regulation.
The announcement introduces a new compliance consideration for international technology partnerships, particularly those involving intellectual property licensing, overseas manufacturing facilities and cross-border research. Companies operating in the affected sectors must now assess whether planned transfers fall within the temporary registration regime, even before China finalizes its proposed export prohibitions and restrictions.