Chinese AI firms DeepSeek and MiniMax gain global market access

Regulatory green light for export

Chinese technology companies DeepSeek and MiniMax have received permission to offer their artificial intelligence models on international markets. According to reports from the media account Yuyuantantian, both firms completed the necessary registrations to operate outside of China. This development marks a significant milestone for the companies as they seek to expand their commercial reach.

The two developers have finalized steps for both international licensing and the public release of their open-source systems. They are notably the first companies to receive such clearance under the regulatory framework proposed by the Chinese government. This approval is intended to let them continue regular commercial activities even if future export restrictions are implemented.

Market reactions to the news were immediate and positive for the involved players. Following the reports, shares of MiniMax rose by nearly 17 percent, while the AI developer Zhipu saw its stock price increase by over 8 percent. These movements reflect investor interest in the ability of Chinese AI to enter the global marketplace.

How the registration works

The process involves a formal registration with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to authorize the export of technology. MiniMax confirmed this registration on October 23, 2026, specifically covering open-source publications and international licensing for several recent and upcoming models. The company pointed to joint announcement No. 48/2026 as the basis for this move.

Under the new guidelines, the government distinguishes between different types of technology transfers. For example, open-source exports benefit from a simplified procedure that includes automatic licensing for new systems. Additionally, services provided via APIs, web applications, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models are generally not subject to the same heavy restrictions.

The regulations also provide automatic permissions for specific types of international cooperation. These include projects involving the construction of data centers abroad, manufacturing of chips in other countries, and international standardization work. By following these registration paths, companies can avoid legal risks associated with exporting sensitive goods while still participating in the global tech economy.

The scope of the new rules

The regulatory framework is based on a draft revision of China's export controls, which was prepared during the first half of 2026. The Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science jointly presented a draft catalog on October 16, 2026. This catalog identifies 40 technologies across three main sectors, with 23 of those technologies specifically related to artificial intelligence.

The AI-related technologies included in this scope are broad and significant. They encompass large models, agent systems, computing clusters, and various forms of information processing. These categories represent the core infrastructure and software that drive modern AI development and deployment across different industries.

While the rules are becoming clearer, some specific details remain undisclosed by the companies and the government. It is currently unclear which specific models are covered, which target countries are involved, or what the specific usage requirements are. Furthermore, no information has been released regarding the specific model weights of the systems being licensed for international use.

Who is affected and what's next

The impact of these registrations extends beyond DeepSeek and MiniMax to the wider Chinese AI ecosystem. International users have already begun calling on other Chinese open-source developers to follow the example set by these two companies. This suggests a growing trend where Chinese firms may seek to standardize their international operations to ensure long-term stability.

For the companies involved, the registration provides a layer of protection against sudden policy shifts. It allows them to build international partnerships and customer bases with a degree of regulatory certainty. However, the current rules are still in the draft phase and have not yet been fully implemented as a final regime.

The window for public comments on the draft catalog remains open until November 15, 2026. Because the current registrations do not guarantee that every single model or service will be exempt from future rules, companies must remain vigilant. They will need to monitor the final implementation of the catalog to ensure continued compliance as the regulations evolve.