China’s top economic planning authority has blocked the proposed acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Manus by tech giant Meta, ordering an immediate halt to the deal.
In a statement issued on Monday, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said it would “prohibit foreign investment in the acquisition of the Manus project” and directed all parties involved to withdraw from the transaction.
The decision follows earlier media reports indicating that Chinese authorities had placed travel restrictions on two of the startup’s co-founders, preventing them from leaving the country. While officials did not directly link the restrictions to the blocked deal, the development has raised concerns about tightening regulatory scrutiny over foreign acquisitions in China’s technology sector.
The move underscores Beijing’s increasing control over strategic industries, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, where national security and data sovereignty remain key priorities. It also signals potential challenges for foreign companies seeking to invest in or acquire Chinese tech firms amid a more restrictive regulatory environment.
Neither Meta nor representatives of Manus have publicly responded to the directive as of the time of filing this report.
China Blocks Meta’s Acquisition of AI Startup Manus
