China: New reporting obligations for technology transfers in AI and solar cells

Photovoltaic plant Dalad Banner in northern China: Beijing plans new bans and approval requirements for exports

China wants more control over which technical knowledge goes abroad. The Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science presented a draft for 40 key technologies in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), photovoltaics and biomedicine. Exports are to be banned for 14 of them, and permits are to be required for the remaining 26.

The new bans and licensing requirements have not yet been adopted. Opinions may be submitted by 15 November. Since the announcement was published on Friday, companies have to register affected technology transfers. These include, for example, the sale of intellectual property rights and the granting of licences abroad.

The focus is on 23 AI technologies. This includes procedures for large AI models and so-called AI agents, which perform tasks largely independently. Other plans include solar cell manufacturing techniques and cell and gene therapy techniques.

Access to AI services via apps and websites will remain exempt from the new export controls, according to the ministry. This also applies to already publicly accessible AI technologies. Solar technology covers individual production facilities, but finished solar modules are not covered by the planned controls.

The Ministry of Commerce referred to security risks. AI can be used for attacks on important infrastructure. Solar technology is also used in space and defence. The measures were not directed against specific countries or companies.

China had already restricted certain processes for the production of battery materials and lithium extraction in 2025. In addition, there were approval requirements for certain rare earths and products made from them. The new foray falls into the technology competition with the US, which in turn controls the export of powerful AI chips to China.