Developing | China mulls new tech export bans covering AI, biotech and solar power | South China Morning Post

China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology have jointly issued a notice proposing export bans covering AI, biotech and solar power technology, according to a South China Morning Post report headlined "China mulls new tech export bans covering AI, biotech and solar power." The notice sets out two tiers of measure: outright export bans on specific technologies, and a further set of technologies that would face fresh export restrictions. The report describes the measures as proposed.

The technologies named for export bans are AI-driven technology for generating and mutating malicious code, certain cell and gene therapy technology platforms, and technology for producing certain kinds of solar cell modules. In addition to those three items, the notice lists a further 26 technologies across the three sectors that would face fresh export restrictions. The excerpt does not name the additional 26 technologies, nor does it state the criteria by which an item was placed in the ban tier rather than the restriction tier.

The notice carries a one-month public consultation period beginning Friday, according to the report. The excerpt does not state which agency would administer the bans, how they would be enforced, or when they would take effect if adopted. It also does not indicate whether the measures would apply to existing export contracts or only to new ones. The article presents the notice as a proposal under consideration rather than finalised policy.