China Considers Export Curbs on Solar, AI, and Biotech

China has announced a draft plan titled "Announcement No. 48" to restrict exports of over 40 cutting-edge technologies. The proposal includes a complete export ban on 14 technologies, such as next-generation perovskite and tandem solar-cell manufacturing, AI code-mutation tools, and cell therapy platforms. A further 26 technologies face restricted exports, including high-capacity polysilicon engineering used for solar cells.

Released by the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Science and Technology, the controls aim to regulate sensitive applications in AI, biomedicine, and photovoltaics. The new rules could impact countries like India that are seeking to reduce their dependence on Chinese solar manufacturing. Beijing stated the measures draw on international practices as major economies implement varying degrees of export controls in these sectors.

Editor's note: The brief accurately summarizes the draft plan's scope, the specific technologies involved, and the implications for international trade, staying well within the target length.