Tech War: China Plans Large-Scale Restrictions on AI Technology Exports

Chinese authorities are preparing a new package of strict export control measures for artificial intelligence and semiconductor technologies. Beijing's goal is to limit Western companies' access to the country's cutting-edge developments, according to Financial Times sources.

If adopted, these restrictions would represent the most massive change in China's export control regime in recent years. They are expected to be included in the next update to the list of technologies whose export is prohibited or strictly restricted. This is a clear signal that Beijing is ready to use its technological assets as a tool in geopolitical rivalry.

Despite the strategic goal, concerns are being voiced within the country itself. Some Chinese tech giants warn that overly aggressive control could be counterproductive—slowing down innovation in the local AI industry and undermining China's long-term competitiveness on the global stage.

The tension also stems from the rapid progress of Chinese developers. Very recently, the company Moonshot introduced its new Kimi K3 model, which according to available data outperforms leading Western models such as Anthropic's Opus 4.8. This technological leap reinforces the belief that China is rapidly closing the gap with the US, making the protection of intellectual property and strategic technologies even more critical for Beijing.