Translated by ChatGPT, edited by Sinocism.com.

Source: Ministry of Commerce website, republished by Xinhua | September 9, 2026

Q: On September 8, US Eastern Time, the US National Security Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Federal Bureau of Investigation jointly issued an advisory accusing Chinese artificial intelligence companies of conducting “industrial-scale” distillation of US models to acquire the capabilities of US frontier models, and recommending corresponding defensive measures to US companies. What is China’s comment?

问：美东时间9月8日，美国家安全局、网络安全与基础设施安全局、联邦调查局联合发布公告，指责中国人工智能企业对美开展“工业规模”蒸馏，获取美前沿模型能力，并向美企提出相关防御措施建议。请问中方对此有何评论？

A: We have noted the reports. China believes that the US allegations that Chinese AI companies are conducting “industrial-scale” distillation of US models have neither a factual nor a legal basis. This move by the US politicizes and instrumentalizes distillation, a normal technical and commercial matter within the industry, while applying double standards in practice. The US advisory is further clear evidence of its pursuit of technological hegemony and a monopoly on computing power in the AI sector, and its suppression of competition. China firmly opposes this.

答：我们注意到有关情况。中方认为，美方所谓中国人工智能企业从事“工业规模”蒸馏美模型的指控，于事无凭，于法无据。美方此举，是将蒸馏这一业内正常的技术和商业问题政治化、工具化，并在实践中搞双重标准。美方相关公告，是其在人工智能领域推行科技霸权、搞算力垄断，打压竞争的又一明证。中方对此坚决反对。

Distillation is a common practice through which AI models learn from one another. It is inherently a neutral technical method, used by model developers worldwide, including US companies. This method can help models learn more efficiently and make more efficient use of human knowledge. It has positive significance for countries’ development of their AI industries, unlocking the potential of AI technology, bridging development gaps, and bringing benefits more widely to developing countries and the general public.

蒸馏是人工智能领域各个模型间互相学习的通行做法，本质是中性技术手段，包括美企在内的全球模型企业都在用。这种技术手段可以帮助模型提升学习效率，实现人类知识的更高效利用，对各国发展人工智能产业、释放人工智能技术潜力、弥补发展鸿沟、更广泛惠及发展中国家和社会大众有积极意义。

The US approach is a textbook example of double standards. In AI, China encourages open source and openness, cooperation and sharing. Chinese open-source models are available to companies worldwide, including US companies, facilitating their model research and development. Reports on model research and development by US companies also disclose their extensive distillation of Chinese models. Yet the US has repeatedly made unilateral accusations that Chinese companies engage in “industrial-scale” distillation, smearing a common industry practice as an attack. This reflects both US anxiety and its double standards.

美方做法是典型的双重标准。对于人工智能，中方鼓励开源开放、合作共享，中方开源模型向包括美企在内的全球企业开放，为相关模型研发提供便利。美企有关模型研发报告也披露，其大量蒸馏中国模型。反观美方，多次单方面指责中国企业从事“工业规模”蒸馏，将行业通行做法抹黑为攻击行为，既反映了美方的焦虑，又体现了双重标准。

The US approach is a textbook example of pursuing an industry monopoly under the pretext of cracking down on distillation. By having its security agencies issue the advisory, the US is tying the interests of certain companies and capital to national security, and using coercive state agencies to interfere in normal commercial activities. We have noted that certain US AI companies abuse their competitive advantages by imposing unfair terms in user agreements, such as broad geographic restrictions. The US allegations concerning distillation raise suspicions that they are intended to endorse these unfair terms.

美方做法是典型的以打击蒸馏为名，行产业垄断之实。美方由安全部门发布公告，是将个别企业和资本利益与国家安全相捆绑，动用国家强权机构干涉正常商业活动。我们注意到，美个别人工智能企业滥用竞争优势地位，在用户协议中设置宽泛的地域限制等霸王条款。美方相关蒸馏指控，有为这些霸王条款背书之嫌。

The US approach is a textbook example of using state power to maintain technological hegemony and a monopoly on computing power while suppressing competition. Since the beginning of this year, US executive and legislative bodies have frequently threatened sanctions and other punitive measures against Chinese companies over their distillation activities. The aim is to suppress competition and preserve US monopolies in computing power and data, ensuring that only the US can win, rather than humanity as a whole. It turns global AI resources that should be openly and fairly accessible into the exclusive preserve of a handful of companies, preventing other countries from sharing broadly in the benefits of AI innovation.

美方做法是典型的动用国家力量维护科技霸权和算力垄断，打压竞争。今年以来，美行政、立法机关频频发出对中国企业蒸馏行为的制裁打压威胁，其目的是打压竞争，维护美在算力、数据方面的垄断，只能美国独赢，不能人类共赢，将本应公开公平获取的全球人工智能资源变成少数企业的独占资源，阻止他国参与人工智能创新成果的普惠共享。

The large-model industry is currently at a critical stage of technological iteration, recurring risks, and growth and development. As major countries, China and the US should address the challenges and risks facing AI with a positive and responsible attitude. The two heads of state have agreed to conduct an intergovernmental dialogue on AI. China is willing to engage in constructive and professional discussions with the US through dialogue, on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation. However, if the US takes action to contain and suppress Chinese AI companies under the pretext of cracking down on distillation, China will resolutely take countermeasures. We hope the US will work with China toward the same goal, manage risks through dialogue and communication, and help the AI industry benefit the world.

当前，大模型产业正处于技术迭代、风险迭发、成长发展的关键时期。中美作为大国，应以积极负责态度处理人工智能领域面临的挑战和风险。两国元首已同意开展人工智能政府间对话，中方愿意以平等互利、合作共赢原则，通过对话与美方开展建设性和专业的讨论。但如果美方以打击蒸馏为名，实施遏压中国人工智能企业的行动，中方必将坚决采取措施予以反制。希望美方与中方相向而行，通过对话和沟通管控风险，推动人工智能产业惠及全球。