Chinese regulators have launched a compliance review of Meta Platforms Inc.'s plan to acquire AI startup Manus for approximately $200 million. According to the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the matter, Manus co-founders Xiao Hong and Ji Yichao have been restricted from leaving the country. The report states that the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) recently interviewed the two founders in Beijing regarding the transaction's potential violation of outbound direct investment (ODI) regulations. They were subsequently informed they could not leave China during the investigation. As a result of this regulatory risk, the acquisition aimed at strengthening Meta's core AI capabilities is currently in a state of uncertainty.




