DeepSeek and MiniMax clear China's new AI export registration

A new regulatory gateway

China has introduced a new framework to oversee the export of artificial intelligence technologies. On October 16, 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technology released draft revisions regarding a catalogue of 23 AI-related technologies that are restricted from export.

The move is intended to limit the transfer of tools that Beijing views as vital to national security. This comes during a period of intense geopolitical competition with Washington, where the movement of advanced technology is a primary point of friction.

As reported by Crypto Briefing, two prominent Chinese labs, DeepSeek and MiniMax, have already moved to comply with these rules. They announced on October 22, 2026, that they finished the registration process required to open-source their models and allow for overseas use.

How the registration works

The new regulations create a specific process for developers who want to share their AI models with a global audience. By registering, companies can obtain the necessary permissions to move their technology across borders while staying within the bounds of the law.

The draft rules include a specific fast lane for open-source technologies. These projects may qualify for accelerated automatic licensing, which simplifies the path for developers who share their code and weights publicly rather than keeping them behind private walls.

However, the rules distinguish between the model itself and how a user interacts with it. If a foreign customer uses a Chinese model through an online interface or an API, that service is currently excluded from the regulated export scope.

Impact on global users

For businesses that already rely on Chinese AI through cloud services or APIs, the immediate impact of these rules appears to be minimal. Because these service models sit outside the regulated scope, existing international integrations should not need to be rebuilt or altered.

The primary change affects the way models are distributed and downloaded. Developers who want to provide the underlying model files to the public must now navigate the registration gate to ensure they are not violating export restrictions on the 23 restricted technologies.

State media has framed these rules as a way to provide regulatory clarity for the industry. The goal is to create a structured environment where most AI technologies can still be exported freely while keeping specific high-risk components under government oversight.

Why these two labs led

DeepSeek and MiniMax were among the first to complete the process because of their prominent roles in the Chinese AI landscape. DeepSeek, in particular, has gained international recognition for releasing models that demonstrate China's ability to compete at the frontier of AI development.

The company has also recently secured a significant round of private funding. Being the first to clear a new regulatory hurdle provides a positive signal to investors and the broader tech community regarding the company's ability to navigate complex government requirements.

For other developers inside China, these two companies now serve as a template. Their successful registration suggests that the path to global distribution is functional and that the government is willing to move quickly on approvals for compliant projects.

What to watch next

The final shape of the regulations depends on the public comment period currently underway. The specific definitions within the catalogue of 23 restricted technologies will ultimately determine how much freedom future models have to reach international markets.

Observers will be watching to see if the carve-outs for API access and SaaS offerings survive the comment period. If these exceptions are removed, it could significantly change how international companies interact with Chinese AI models.

Finally, the speed at which other Chinese AI labs follow DeepSeek and MiniMax will be a key indicator of the industry's health. A rapid wave of registrations could signal a push to globalize Chinese AI products despite the new security restrictions.