DeepSeek and MiniMax reportedly first to clear China’s new AI export registration

China’s DeepSeek and MiniMax have reportedly become the first AI developers to complete export registration under Beijing’s newly drafted rules for artificial intelligence technology. The approvals let both companies open-source their models and authorize their use overseas. What happened and how fast 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. About a week later, the first registrations arrived. DeepSeek and MiniMax announced on October 22, 2026, that they had completed registration for open-sourcing their AI technologies. The news spread through state media-affiliated social media posts on October 22 and 23. According to Reuters, the proposed controls cover overseas deployment of AI models that contain restricted technology. The news agency 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. The fine print that keeps the doors open The draft rules leave plenty of room to operate. Two details stand out. The fi...