DeepSeek and MiniMax complete registration in China and release code for international use

DeepSeek and MiniMax have completed their registration process with Chinese authorities and released their source code and licenses for international use on Friday, 23. This move is part of a temporary technology export control regime implemented while the government reviews regulations for the export of sensitive technology products.

How the temporary registration regime works

Joint Notice No. 48, issued by the Ministries of Commerce and Science and Technology, opened a public consultation on October 16 regarding proposed changes to the catalog of technologies whose export is prohibited or restricted. The proposal includes 40 items, 23 of which are related to artificial intelligence.

Until the new catalog takes effect, operations involving the listed technologies must be registered in advance. The consultation accepts submissions until November 15. Registration requires information about the exporter, recipient, final destination, technology involved, its purpose, and estimated value.

Registration is required in situations such as intellectual property transfers, licensing of Chinese technology for foreign use, and changes in control to a foreign entity.

The difference between AI services and technology transfer

The Ministry of Commerce clarified that providing services such as API calls, interactions within applications or websites, and software-as-a-service models is not subject to the export controls applicable to large AI models.

However, deploying restricted technologies locally for use abroad falls under the scope of these rules. The ministry plans to offer facilities, such as automatic licenses, for certain operations, depending on the mode of use.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does registration allow AI use in any country? No. It meets Chinese export requirements and does not replace the rules of each destination market.
• Which models were included in the registration? The state media announcement did not specify particular versions or models.
• Are API and technology transfer the same thing? No. The official explanation distinguishes between providing services and transferring technologies classified as restricted.