Politics · Singapore Bureau
Beijing hits back at US restrictions on Chinese AI tool DeepSeek
China has criticised US government moves to ban the use of DeepSeek, saying the decision stretches the definition of national security concerns beyond reasonable limits.
LSN Singapore ·
Chinese officials have condemned restrictions imposed by United States federal agencies on the deployment of DeepSeek, the artificial intelligence platform developed by the Chinese tech company. Beijing's response characterises the ban as an overreach that weaponises national security justifications to restrict access to the technology.
The US government decision to bar federal agencies from using DeepSeek has intensified scrutiny of Chinese-made AI systems amid broader geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing. American officials have cited data privacy and security risks as justifications for the measure, though the specific technical concerns remain contested.
China's objection centres on what it views as protectionist trade barriers cloaked in security language. Chinese officials argue that such restrictions set a concerning precedent for how major economies regulate cross-border technology access and could prompt retaliatory measures targeting American companies operating in Asia.
The dispute reflects deepening competition in the artificial intelligence sector, where both Washington and Beijing view technological advancement as strategically vital. Restrictions on Chinese AI tools in US government operations mark an escalation in efforts to decouple critical technologies from potential geopolitical rivals, a strategy that has rippled across allied nations in the region.