Key Takeaways
- China's commerce ministry condemned the US ban on DeepSeek, an AI model.
- The US Homeland Security Department ordered removal of DeepSeek from federal agency IT systems.
- China urged the US to revoke the ban and take necessary measures to protect its interests.
China's commerce ministry has strongly criticized a US government order banning the Chinese AI model DeepSeek from federal agency IT systems, stating that the move disregards the understandings reached by the leaders of both countries.
In a statement, the ministry urged the US to 'immediately correct wrong practices and revoke relevant discriminatory restrictive measures,' adding that Beijing would closely monitor developments and 'take all necessary measures' to safeguard its interests.
The US Homeland Security Department on Monday ordered the removal of DeepSeek products and third-party services using the Chinese AI model from civilian federal agency IT systems, and barred agencies from acquiring DeepSeek products or third-party services developed using the model.
According to the US department, DeepSeek models pose 'multiple threat vectors' and raise concerns that their use could result in the transfer of sensitive data to China if used by US government employees or vendors.
Beijing expressed 'strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition' to the order, emphasizing the need for the US to implement the consensus reached by the two leaders and work with China 'in the same direction.'
China hopes the US will make full use of the China-US artificial intelligence dialogue mechanism to address the issue.
The US ban on DeepSeek highlights ongoing tensions in the tech sector between the two nations, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence and data security.
The move by the US is part of a broader strategy to limit the influence of Chinese technology in government and military sectors, amid growing concerns over data privacy and national security.
