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China Blocks Meta Acquisition of AI Firm Manus, Orders Deal Withdrawal
(MENAFN) China has reportedly halted Meta’s planned acquisition of the artificial intelligence platform Manus, ordering the deal to be withdrawn under national investment regulations.
According to a statement attributed to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), authorities have decided to “prohibit foreign investment in the acquisition of the Manus project in accordance with laws and regulations,” and instructed the parties involved to cancel the transaction.
Reports indicate that regulatory scrutiny of the deal had been underway for months, with Chinese authorities reviewing the proposed acquisition after Meta announced a $2 billion agreement to purchase Manus in December. Earlier reporting suggested that Beijing was closely examining the implications of foreign ownership in sensitive AI-related technologies.
Additional reporting has noted that Chinese regulators have been tightening oversight of technology investments, including measures requiring government approval for foreign funding involving domestic AI startups.
Manus, originally founded in China before relocating its base to Singapore, gained attention in early 2025 after unveiling a general-purpose AI agent designed to carry out advanced tasks such as data processing, coding, and market analysis.
The decision marks a broader signal of stricter controls over cross-border technology transfers, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector, where strategic competition and regulatory concerns have intensified.
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