China Tightens Tech Investment Rules and Launches AI Research Plan

China has introduced new regulations to tighten control over outbound investments deemed critical to national security. The rules, effective immediately, broaden oversight of capital flows, skilled personnel, and services in sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and green technologies, allowing authorities to scrutinise projects that could affect “global national security”. The measures come amid heightened tech rivalry with the United States and follow earlier actions that blocked a U.S. acquisition of an AI startup.

In parallel, Beijing’s municipal authorities have unveiled a strategy to accelerate scientific research using artificial intelligence through 2028. The plan calls for autonomous laboratories that integrate AI, robotics and high‑performance equipment across fields including materials science, health, quantum technology and bio‑engineering. A nationwide AI research platform will automate literature review, hypothesis generation, experiment execution and data analysis, aiming to shorten development cycles and link basic research more closely to industrial application.