China blocks Meta from acquiring AI startup Manus :: WRAL.com
China blocks Meta from acquiring AI startup Manus :: WRAL.com
https://www.wral.com/news/ap/5f801-china-blocks-meta-from-acquiring-ai-startup-manus/
Publish Date: 2026-04-27 06:10:00
Source Domain: www.wral.com
- China’s National Development and Reform Commission prohibited Meta’s acquisition of the Singapore-based AI startup Manus due to national security concerns.
- The decision was made under the Office of the Working Mechanism for Security Review of Foreign Investment in accordance with Chinese laws.
- Meta, which also owns Facebook and Instagram, had announced this acquisition in December 2022, aiming to expand its AI capabilities.
- Despite Meta’s assurance that the deal was fully compliant with applicable laws and regulations and there would be no continuing Chinese ownership interests, China had investigated the compliance with its own laws since January.
- The commission did not provide specific reasons for the ban on the acquisition.
- The interaction highlights the stringent scrutiny China applies to foreign investments, especially those involving technology with potential security implications.
