DeepSeek and MiniMax reportedly first to register under China's draft AI export rules
In brief
- DeepSeek and MiniMax reportedly completed export registration under Beijing's draft AI technology rules.
- DeepSeek and MiniMax announced the registration on October 22, Crypto Briefing reports.
- China's commerce and science ministries released a draft list of 23 restricted AI technologies on October 16.
- API access and SaaS offerings fall outside regulated exports under the draft.
- The 23-technology catalogue remains a draft open for public comment.
What was reported
Crypto Briefing reported that DeepSeek and MiniMax announced on October 22 that they'd completed registration for open-sourcing their AI technologies. According to the outlet, the news spread through state-media-affiliated social media posts on October 22 and 23. LeoDex News couldn't review the companies' own statements. The claim that they're the first developers to register also comes from Crypto Briefing, not from the companies.
That's the full announcement trail so far.
A draft catalogue, not final rules
On October 16, China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology released draft revisions and opened public comment on a catalogue of 23 AI-related technologies restricted from export. It's still a draft.
According to Reuters (as cited by Crypto Briefing), the proposed controls cover overseas deployment of AI models that contain restricted technology. Reuters described the move as Beijing's latest effort to limit the transfer of tools it views as vital to national security amid geopolitical competition with Washington.
Carve-outs for open-source models and APIs
The draft rules, as Crypto Briefing describes them, include two carve-outs. Open-source AI technologies may qualify for accelerated automatic licensing. API access and software-as-a-service offerings fall outside the scope of regulated exports altogether (so hosted access isn't covered the way distributed technology is).
State media have presented the structure as a way to bring regulatory clarity rather than to impose stringent restrictions, Crypto Briefing said. Under the framework as the outlet describes it, most AI technologies remain freely exportable.
The list itself isn't settled. The catalogue of 23 technologies remains open for public comment, and the ministries haven't published a final version.
Frequently asked questions
What is China's draft AI export catalogue?
On October 16, 2026, China's Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Science and Technology released draft revisions and opened public comment on a catalogue of 23 AI-related technologies restricted from export. According to Reuters, as cited by Crypto Briefing, the proposed controls cover overseas deployment of AI models that contain restricted technology. The catalogue is still a draft.
Do API access and SaaS offerings count as AI exports under China's draft rules?
No. As Crypto Briefing describes the draft rules, API access and software-as-a-service offerings fall outside the scope of regulated exports. The draft also says open-source AI technologies may qualify for accelerated automatic licensing.
What did DeepSeek and MiniMax reportedly register?
Crypto Briefing reported that DeepSeek and MiniMax announced on October 22, 2026, that they'd completed registration for open-sourcing their AI technologies. The outlet said this lets both companies open-source their models and authorize their use overseas. LeoDex News couldn't review the companies' own statements.
