China blocks Meta from acquiring AI startup Manus

China has blocked Meta's $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup with Chinese roots, citing concerns about the transfer of advanced technology to a U.S. company. Meta responded Monday stating the transaction complied with applicable law and expects an appropriate resolution, though the article metadata provided does not contain substantive reporting details beyond this brief statement. Corroborating coverage from CNBC, Reuters, and the AP indicates this reflects Beijing's broader tightening of scrutiny on U.S. investments in domestic startups developing frontier AI technologies, with Reuters specifically noting this as part of a pattern of Chinese oversight. Watch for Meta's next steps regarding unwinding the deal, potential appeals, and how this decision may signal China's future posture toward U.S. tech acquisitions in AI.