China would ban 14 technologies and license exports of 26 more
The proposal gives Beijing new power over technology transfers abroad.
Overview
China is considering tighter controls on 40 technologies that could shape future industries and national security. The commerce and science ministries opened the plan for public comment on October 16. It would ban exports of 14 technologies and require licenses for 26 others. The list covers 23 AI technologies, 12 solar technologies and five medical technologies. It includes AI tied to sensitive data and key systems, advanced solar production, processing, and .
The draft is not final, but exporters must register transfers during the comment period, which ends November 15. The rules would cover ownership transfers and overseas licenses, not normal access to , websites, apps or software services. China could gain more control over supply chains and protect publicly supported research, but Chinese companies could lose foreign business. Overseas factories and research partners may face delays and uncertainty, including in India, where industries seek Chinese expertise.
Timeline
Public consultation deadline arrives
The consultation is scheduled to close on November 15, 2026. Until then, companies and other interested parties can comment on the proposed technologies, , control policies and . The final scope, enforcement approach and remain unresolved, leaving potential consequences for Chinese firms, foreign manufacturers, technology partners and India’s industrial and strategic-technology plans.
Temporary registration begins during consultation
China introduced for relevant technology exports and transfers while the consultation is open. The requirement applies from October 16 through the November 15 consultation deadline and reportedly covers transfers of technology ownership and . It is an administrative measure during the review period, not the final export-control catalogue.
Biomedicine controls reach cell and gene therapies
The five proposed biomedical controls include s for cell and gene therapies, small nucleic acid drugs and technologies used to identify or validate s. If adopted, the rules could affect overseas licensing, research partnerships and the transfer of Chinese-developed platforms for foreign production.
Solar rules focus on manufacturing know-how
The photovoltaic section includes proposed prohibitions on and tandem solar-module manufacturing technologies. It also proposes licensing requirements for some engineering technologies, including large production lines, along with processes involving s and solar cells. The measures would target production expertise and technology transfers, not necessarily shipments of finished solar products.
AI controls target sensitive capabilities
The 23 proposed AI additions include systems linked to sensitive national data or , as well as technologies for generating malicious code, finding software vulnerabilities, , and . Chinese officials said most AI technologies would remain freely exportable, while reported exclusions include ordinary API, website, app and access when these do not involve transferring controlled technology.
Draft separates bans from licensing requirements
The proposal places 14 technologies in the , which would block their export, and 26 in the , which would require government approval through an . This distinction would give Chinese authorities different levels of control over technology transfers rather than imposing a single blanket restriction.
China opens consultation on 40 technologies
China’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology jointly opened on a draft revision to the . The proposal covers 40 technologies, including 23 in artificial intelligence, 12 in photovoltaics and 5 in biomedicine. The draft is not yet final and seeks comments on its scope, thresholds and implementation.