State media: DeepSeek and MiniMax completed AI export pre-registration and continued open-source and overseas licensing

Why it matters

【Key points】

CCTV-linked Yuyuan Tantian (evening 22 Oct 2026): DeepSeek and MiniMax completed export pre-registration launched with China’s 16 Oct draft Catalogue revision, and continued open-source and overseas licensing. Yicai (22 Oct 23:57 CST), SCMP and Bloomberg relayed 23 Oct.

1. Anchor e/912 (23 proposed AI items); comment ongoing. Pre-registration is temporary—registration ≠ restrictive export licence.

2. MOFCOM Q&A: open-source/papers proposed out of scope; API/app/web/SaaS/on-device lightweight is not “large-model tech export”; overseas local deploy is in scope (own-cloud may use automatic licensing).

3. Timeline: DeepInfer open-sourced 20 Oct (e/982); M3.1 Flash weights on HF 23 Oct (e/1046)—open-source did not freeze.

【Verifiable】

Yicai (2026-10-22 23:57 CST): https://www.yicai.com/news/103405081.html

SCMP: https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3371880/deepseek-minimax-secure-open-source-licenses-days-after-new-china-export-rules-state-media

MOFCOM Q&A: https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/syxwfb/art/2026/art_a4acff07e134447fbe7bbeb486df3ea6.html

Draft catalogue (e/912): https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/zcfb/blgg/gg/2026/art/2026/art_05e2643a8ca04eb9adf9dd0542991fe4.html

【Our read】

1. Background: 16 Oct draft looked like a shutdown. First named signal two top labs finished registration and kept open-sourcing—but source is CCTV commentary, not a MOFCOM firm list. Secondary until crossed with official rolls or company posts.

2. Cross-cut: same week as US COINS outbound NPRM (e/1047) and PAIPA naming (e/986). US hits capital/supply chains; China hits transfer form and registration visibility. Carve-outs imply weights/remote access largely stay open; squeeze is sensitive local deploy and unpublished core tech.

3. Impact: short-term supports open-weights/API overseas narrative; medium-term watch post–15 Nov final catalogue. Do not equate registration with an export licence. Limits: no company confirm posts, no MOFCOM per-firm roster.