China has pushed back against what it calls 'politicized restrictions' on its technology sector after several countries limited access to DeepSeek, a Chinese AI service gaining international traction. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated Thursday that China strictly enforces data privacy laws and opposes 'using national security as an excuse to suppress innovation.'
Open-Source Innovation vs Geopolitical Tensions
DeepSeek's AI models – including its V3 language processor and Janus Pro vision system – operate entirely offline when downloaded, eliminating data transmission risks. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen praised the platform as 'a gift to the world,' while its free meme-generation and problem-solving tools have attracted global users.
Market Impact and Industry Shifts
The AI service's record-low training costs reportedly contributed to recent volatility in U.S. tech stocks. Competitors are now adopting similar open strategies: OpenAI removed sign-up requirements for ChatGPT searches, while Alibaba unveiled its free Qwen2.5-Max model using DeepSeek-inspired methods.
Guo emphasized China's commitment to supporting companies in global markets, stating: 'True technological progress thrives through collaboration, not containment.' As AI innovation accelerates, this clash highlights growing tensions between technological openness and national security concerns.
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China slams politicization of tech as nations restrict DeepSeek
cgtn.com
