China Blocks Meta’s $2 Billion Acquisition of AI Firm Manus (4)

China has decided to block Meta Platforms Inc.’s $2 billion acquisition of agentic AI startup Manus, a surprise move to unwind a controversial deal that’s drawn fire for the leakage of technology to the US.

The National Development and Reform Commission ordered the deal’s cancellation in a brief statement Monday. The powerful state planner said in a one-line notice that it’s decided to prohibit foreign investment in the startup in accordance with laws and regulations, without elaborating.

The ruling is likely to send a chill through China’s burgeoning AI sector, and emerged weeks before a high-profile summit between ...