China Reportedly Considering Restrictions on Overseas Access to Advanced AI Models, Viewing Them as National Assets

Sources with knowledge of the matter revealed that Chinese authorities recently met with tech giants to discuss restricting overseas access to China's most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models. This move indicates that Beijing, like the United States, views advanced AI technology as a critical national asset requiring strict control.

Reuters reported that these discussions follow a series of measures by Beijing to keep domestic AI within its borders and highlight that China, similar to the US, is treating cutting-edge AI as a key national asset that needs to be managed.

Sources familiar with the matter stated that companies participating in the talks included tech giants Alibaba and ByteDance, as well as startup Z.ai. These individuals, who were not authorized to speak to the media, declined to be identified.

Since the emergence of DeepSeek's R1 model last year, China's AI models have made significant progress globally, offering low costs and increasingly powerful capabilities. Any decision by Beijing to restrict access to these products could have ripple effects in the AI market, as many companies may see their costs increase.

Two of the sources revealed that during meetings led by China's Ministry of Commerce, participants discussed imposing restrictions on the most advanced AI models, including both closed-source and more open versions.

One of the sources stated that officials discussed classifying any leakage or theft of proprietary AI technology as a criminal offense under China's stringent national security laws.

This source added that officials also raised the possibility of implementing new measures to limit who can fund domestic AI startups.

Two sources stated that the scope of potential restrictions is still under discussion, adding that these restrictions might only apply to future models. It remains unclear when these measures might take effect, or if they will be implemented at all.

China's Ministry of Commerce, which oversees export regulations, and the National Development and Reform Commission, which also sent representatives to the meeting, did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Alibaba, ByteDance, and Z.ai also did not respond to Reuters' inquiries.

All three companies possess a range of AI models, some of which are closed-source, while others are open-weight, meaning users can download, run, and customize the underlying systems.

Alibaba's 'Tongyi Qianwen' and ByteDance's 'Doubao' are two of the most widely used AI models in China. Z.ai recently made waves in Silicon Valley with its GLM-5.2 model, whose capabilities approach those of leading US products but at a fraction of the cost.

The administration of US President Trump also expressed deep concern over the national security implications of AI, particularly the potential for US AI products to be misused by military and intelligence agencies in China, Russia, and other related countries. (Compiled by: Li Peishan) 1150708

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