Beijing blocks Meta’s $2bn acquisition of Manus after security review

Technology Move puts future of Chinese-founded AI startup in question China’s National Development and Reform Commission has announced a veto on the acquisition of Chinese-founded agentic AI company Manus by Meta on security grounds. © Getty Images CISSY ZHOU April 27, 2026 18:02 JST Updated on April 27, 2026 18:31 JST HONG KONG — Beijing has prohibited Meta’s acquisition of Chinese-founded agentic AI company Manus after a national security review, the National Development and Reform Commission, announced on Monday.