China Restricts Manus Founders From Leaving China, FT Says (2)

Chinese authorities have barred two Manus co-founders from leaving the country, the Financial Times reported, heightening scrutiny over Meta Platforms Inc.’s 2025 acquisition of the fast-rising agentic AI startup for $2 billion.

Xiao Hong and Ji Yichao were summoned this month to a meeting in Beijing with the National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s powerful economic planner, the FT said, citing three people with knowledge of the matter. The pair, who’re based in Singapore, were questioned about potential violations of foreign direct investment rules and then told they couldn’t leave China, the FT reported.

Beijing has ...