How to Access Chinese AI Models Without a Chinese Phone Number (2026 Guide)

Chinese AI models like DeepSeek V4, Qwen 3.7 Max, and GLM-5.2 are among the best in the world — and up to 18x cheaper than GPT-5.5. But accessing them from outside China is notoriously difficult. This guide shows you how.

The Problem: 4 Barriers to Access

The Solution: Use an API Gateway

NovAI is a Hong Kong-based API gateway that removes all four barriers:

• ✅ No Chinese phone — register with any email
• ✅ USDT (TRC20) payment — no Alipay needed
• ✅ English documentation
• ✅ Same rate limits as Chinese users

Available Models

5-Minute Setup

# 1. Register at aiapi-pro.com/register (any email, no phone)

# 2. Get your API key from the dashboard

# 3. Change one line of code:
import openai

client = openai.OpenAI(
    api_key="sk-novai-your-key",
    base_url="https://aiapi-pro.com/v1"  # ← Only this changes
)

# 4. Use any Chinese model:
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="deepseek-chat",  # or "qwen-max", "glm-5.2", etc.
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
)

FAQ

Do I need a Chinese phone number to use DeepSeek API?

No. While DeepSeek's official API requires a +86 phone number for registration, you can use NovAI (aiapi-pro.com) as a gateway. NovAI is based in Hong Kong and accepts international registration with any email address. No Chinese phone number is required.

Can I use Chinese AI models without a VPN?

Yes. Chinese AI model APIs are accessible from anywhere in the world. The issue is not VPN — it's the registration barrier (Chinese phone verification, Alipay payment). Using a gateway like NovAI removes this barrier entirely. NovAI's Hong Kong servers have 75ms latency from Asia-Pacific and ~120ms from US West.

What payment methods work for Chinese AI APIs?

Direct registration with DeepSeek, Alibaba (Qwen), or Zhipu (GLM) requires Alipay or WeChat Pay. Through NovAI, you can pay with USDT (TRC20) (cryptocurrency). Credit cards are not needed. This makes NovAI accessible to developers worldwide who don't have Chinese payment methods.

Which Chinese AI models can I access?

Through NovAI, you can access 17+ models including DeepSeek V4 Pro/Flash, Qwen 3.7 Max, GLM-5.2, GLM-5V Turbo (vision), Doubao Seed 2 Pro, MiniMax abab7, and 10+ more. All through a single API key with OpenAI-compatible format. GLM-4.6V-Flash is available for free with no token limit.

Is it legal to access Chinese AI models from outside China?

Yes. These models are publicly available APIs offered by Chinese tech companies. NovAI is a legitimate API gateway that partners with model providers to offer global access. There are no legal restrictions on accessing Chinese AI models from outside China. The models are open-weight or available via official commercial APIs.