China’s Ministry of Commerce said Thursday it will assess and investigate Meta Platforms Inc.’s acquisition of the artificial intelligence startup Manus, marking a rare instance of Chinese scrutiny of a major U.S. tech company’s AI deal amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The review, announced by ministry spokesperson He Yadong, will examine whether the transaction complies with Chinese laws governing foreign investment, export controls and data transfers. Officials said they will work with other departments to determine if the sale requires approval under national regulations.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, disclosed last month that it had agreed to buy Manus, a Singapore-based startup with roots in China, in a deal reported to be worth more than $2 billion. Meta said Manus will continue operating from Singapore and that there will be no Chinese ownership or operations after the acquisition is completed.
The acquisition, one of the few by a U.S. tech giant of a company with Chinese origins, reflects Meta’s push to expand its artificial intelligence offerings by integrating Manus’s AI technologies into its products. Manus’s proprietary “general-purpose” AI agents can autonomously perform complex tasks, ranging from data analysis to coding.
Analysts say the review highlights China’s tighter oversight of foreign technology transactions involving strategic sectors such as AI, even when the target company is headquartered outside the country. Observers note the move could influence future cross-border deals in the fast-evolving AI landscape.
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