# How to Use Chinese LLMs (Qwen, DeepSeek, GLM) Without a Chinese Phone Number

> Source: <https://dev.to/zhouxia_qian_768284ca068e/how-to-use-chinese-llms-qwen-deepseek-glm-without-a-chinese-phone-number-1nep>
> Published: 2026-06-24 09:32:56+00:00

If you've tried signing up for any Chinese AI service, you've seen the same message:

Please enter your phone number (+86) to receive a verification code.

This single requirement blocks most overseas developers from accessing some of the best-performing and most cost-effective LLMs on the market. This guide covers every workaround I've found — from least to most practical.

China's major AI labs produce world-class models:

But every single one requires:

Services like SMS-activate and 5sim offer temporary Chinese phone numbers for ~$1-2.

**The problem:** Chinese providers have gotten aggressive about flagging virtual numbers. Your account gets banned within days. You lose any balance you've added.

❌ **Not recommended** — too unreliable for production use.

The most practical solution is a gateway that handles the China-side complexity for you. These services:

**What this means for you:**

**Migration example (Python):**

```
# Before — can't access Chinese models at all
# client = OpenAI(api_key="...")  # Only works for OpenAI

# After — full access to Chinese models
client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://api.tokenmaster.com/v1",
    api_key="tm-..."
)
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="deepseek-v4-pro",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
)
```

No SDK changes. No VPN. No Chinese phone number. Just swap the base URL.

Some providers like Alibaba Cloud's international portal offer English-language signup, but the model selection is limited and pricing is higher than domestic rates.

**Qwen via Alibaba Cloud International:**

**DeepSeek Direct:**

Assuming 10M input + 2M output tokens per month:

| Method | Monthly Cost | Setup Friction | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-4o Direct | ~$38 | Low | High |
| Chinese LLMs via Gateway | ~$7 | Low | High |
| Virtual Phone Numbers | ~$5 + risk of losing account | Medium | Low |
| Alibaba Cloud International | ~$15-20 | Medium | Medium |

A good gateway will give you access to at least these models:

| Model | Family | Cost (Input/1M) | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeepSeek V4 Flash | DeepSeek | $0.18 | Speed + low cost |
| DeepSeek V4-Pro | DeepSeek | $0.50 | Coding + reasoning |
| Qwen 3.7-Max | Qwen | $1.00 | Long context (256K) |
| Qwen 3.5-Flash | Qwen | $0.30 | High throughput |
| GLM-4.5 | GLM | $0.80 | Reasoning |
| GLM-4-Flash | GLM | $0.20 | Cost-effective |

When evaluating a gateway for Chinese LLM access:

If you want to try this today:

`pip install openai`

```
pip install openai
python
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://api.tokenmaster.com/v1",
    api_key="your-key-here"
)
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="qwen-3.7-max",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Write a Python function to sort a list"}]
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)
```

The +86 phone requirement is frustrating, but it's no longer a hard blocker. Gateway services have matured to the point where accessing Chinese LLMs from overseas is as simple as changing a base URL. Given the quality improvements and cost advantages, it's worth exploring — especially if your API bill is growing.

*Not affiliated with any service mentioned. Just a developer who spent way too long dealing with this problem and wants to save others the headache.*