Chinese AI developers DeepSeek and MiniMax have reportedly received state approval to make their AI models available for global use, according to a social media account affiliated with China’s state broadcaster CCTV. The development comes as Beijing considers new export controls covering advanced artificial intelligence technologies.
The report could be significant for China’s efforts to expand the international reach of its AI industry. DeepSeek and MiniMax are among the Chinese companies developing AI models that could compete with products from leading US technology firms.
However, neither company immediately responded to requests for comment, according to Reuters. The reported approval has not been independently confirmed by the companies.
What Happened?
A social media account known as Yuyuan Tantian, which is affiliated with CCTV, reported on Thursday that DeepSeek and MiniMax had received state approval for global use of their AI models.
In a separate post on Friday, the account said overseas internet users had also encouraged other Chinese developers of open-source large language models to follow their example.
The report arrives as Chinese AI companies seek opportunities beyond their domestic market. Making models available internationally could help developers attract overseas users, build relationships with businesses, and expand adoption among developers.
The exact scope of the reported approval, including which models are covered and whether specific conditions apply, was not detailed in the supplied report.
Why Is This Important for China’s AI Industry?
1. Expanding the Global Reach of Chinese AI
DeepSeek attracted international attention in early 2025 with its reasoning models and open-weight approach. Its products drew interest from developers and businesses looking for alternatives to AI systems offered by major US companies.
MiniMax is another Chinese AI developer seeking to establish a presence in the competitive AI market.
If the reported approval enables both companies to expand international distribution, it could create additional opportunities to attract users and developers outside China.
Wider availability does not automatically guarantee adoption, however. Performance, pricing, reliability, language support, data handling, and local regulations will all influence whether overseas customers choose these models.
2. More Competition in the AI Market
The global AI industry includes companies such as OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Meta, and a growing number of Chinese developers.
International access to additional Chinese AI models could give businesses and developers more options when choosing technology for chatbots, coding tools, research, and other applications.
For companies building AI-powered products, access to a wider range of models may also make it easier to compare costs and capabilities.
The competitive impact will depend on the models covered by the reported approval and the conditions under which they can be offered internationally.
China Is Also Considering AI Export Controls
The reported approval comes shortly after China proposed export controls covering 23 AI-related technologies on October 16, including technologies associated with AI models, agents, and computing clusters.
According to Reuters, China’s commerce ministry said most AI technologies would remain exportable, with simplified licensing arrangements for open-source technology exports and Chinese companies operating their own computing centres overseas.
The proposed measures reflect Beijing’s effort to manage the international transfer of technologies it considers important to national security.
This creates a complex situation for Chinese AI developers. Companies may seek to expand globally while operating within rules governing the export and overseas deployment of certain technologies.
The reported approval for DeepSeek and MiniMax should therefore be considered separately from the proposed export controls. The available report does not establish that all models or technologies from either company are exempt from those measures.
What Could This Mean for Open-Source AI?
Open-source and open-weight AI models can make it easier for developers to experiment with AI technology and integrate it into their own applications. However, the terms differ between models, and open weights do not necessarily mean that all training data, code, or development processes are publicly available.
The reported development could encourage further discussion about the international availability of Chinese AI models.
If more Chinese developers receive permission to distribute their models overseas, businesses may have additional choices when building AI applications. At the same time, organizations will need to evaluate licensing conditions, security, privacy, export restrictions, and local compliance requirements before deployment.
The separate call for other Chinese open-source model developers to follow suit suggests that overseas availability is an important topic within the wider AI community.
What Happens Next?
The next important step will be clarification from DeepSeek, MiniMax, or relevant Chinese authorities about the reported approvals.
Details to watch include which models are covered, which countries and distribution channels are permitted, and whether any licensing or technology-transfer restrictions apply.
Developers and businesses will also be watching China’s proposed export controls as the rules progress. Their final scope could influence how Chinese AI technology is distributed and deployed internationally.
Until more details are available, the reported approval should not be interpreted as unrestricted permission for every Chinese AI model to be exported or used in every country.
Conclusion
The reported approval for DeepSeek and MiniMax to make their AI models available globally could represent an important development for China’s AI industry. It comes as Chinese developers compete for international users and Beijing works to manage the overseas transfer of strategically important technologies.
The report may signal further opportunities for Chinese AI models to reach international developers and businesses. However, the precise scope of the approvals remains unclear, and the proposed export controls could still shape how these technologies are distributed.
The next announcements from the companies and Chinese authorities will help establish what the reported decision means for the global AI market.