China protests the US DeepSeek ban while blocking ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini at home

China protests and announces countermeasures

China has criticized the US ban on DeepSeek and announced countermeasures, even though it blocks Western AI services such as ChatGPT at home. The Chinese Foreign Ministry accuses the United States of stretching the concept of national security too far. The Commerce Ministry has demanded the ban be lifted and vowed to take resolute countermeasures. Beijing's protest works mainly as a political signal and lays the groundwork for future retaliation in the tech rivalry between the two countries.

US restricts DeepSeek in government systems

The United States has banned civilian federal agencies from using AI software from the Chinese company DeepSeek. The move aims to prevent sensitive data from flowing to Beijing. The Department of Homeland Security ordered all civilian federal agencies to remove DeepSeek products from their IT systems. The ban also covers software from other vendors built on DeepSeek's open source models and prohibits future purchases. Washington states it is concerned that Beijing could access sensitive data through DeepSeek.

China blocks Western AI services domestically

China blocks Western AI services including ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini across the entire country. Since 2023 the Cyberspace Administration has been required to review AI services, and those services must comply with political guidelines. The rules apply to the entire market not just government agencies. State bodies and state owned companies are supposed to gradually replace foreign hardware and software with domestic products. Reports also point to restrictions on iPhones for government officials.

Escalating AI policy and market rivalry

According to the NYT, Beijing also proposed its own export and licensing controls for AI technologies last week, similar to the American approach. Both sides invoke national security to protect their markets and technology. The United States ties security and economic policy together through strict chip export controls. The protest shows domestic companies that the state has their back and supports the narrative that the US wants to monopolize the AI industry. Most of all it lays the groundwork for later retaliation which Beijing can frame as a mere response.

Earlier coverage: U.S. Homeland Security Orders Removal of DeepSeek From Civilian Agency Systems

Sources: The Decoder · Techmeme