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News Wire / technology

China Blocks Metta Acquisition Of AI Firm Manus

WBUR Boston Beijing 15d13d Impact 8

China has blocked Metta's acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm Manus, without elaborating on the reasons. Takaichi claimed that revising security documents is a critical task for the nation's future. She cited lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle East instability to justify advancing new combat methodologies. The company also filed two applications to cover sound trademarks for the phrases 'Hey, it's Taylor Swift' and 'Hey, it's Taylor', alongside a third application for a photograph of Swift with a pink guitar. The Office of the Foreign Investment Security Review Mechanism at the National Development and Reform Commission has issued a decision to prohibit the acquisition of the Manus project by foreign investors. China has ordered the cancellation of a $2 billion agreement involving Meta and Manus.

China has blocked Metta's acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm Manus, without elaborating on the reasons. Takaichi claimed that revising security documents is a critical task for the nation's future. She cited lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle East instability to justify advancing new combat methodologies. The company also filed two applications to cover sound trademarks for the phrases 'Hey, it's Taylor Swift' and 'Hey, it's Taylor', alongside a third application for a photograph of Swift with a pink guitar. The Office of the Foreign Investment Security Review Mechanism at the National Development and Reform Commission has issued a decision to prohibit the acquisition of the Manus project by foreign investors. China has ordered the cancellation of a $2 billion agreement involving Meta and Manus. Manus is an AI-based intelligent agent developed by the Chinese firm Butterfly Effect that primarily operated in the United States market. The transaction marks the first foreign investment in the AI sector to be publicly halted since the implementation of foreign investment security review measures. Manus, created by the Butterfly Effect company, launched in March 2025 and subsequently moved its headquarters from China to Singapore. China has blocked the acquisition of the general AI agent product Manus by Metta, marking the first public halt of an AI-related foreign investment under the new foreign investment security review measures. While the company has moved to Singapore, Reuters reports that China is renouncing the acquisition. The move is interpreted as a message to Chinese enterprises regarding regulatory compliance.

Topics

mergers and acquisitions artificial intelligence international trade

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Sources · 7 independent

WBUR Boston

“China is blocking Metta's acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm, Manus. It didn't elaborate on why, and it said it wants the two companies to undo. What is largely a done deal? Manus was founded in China and then relocated to Singapore last year.”

WBUR Boston

“China is blocking Metta's acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm, Manus. It didn't elaborate on why, and it said it wants the two companies to undo.”

2GB Sydney

“to Wednesday, the offload. The news you need to hear. Big story.”

Haberturk Radyo

“ve reformat anında bildirin. Interprez. Türkiye'nin hafızası. Reklamları dinlediniz. Her mevsimde konfo...”

2m ago

“US Banks Face Scrutiny Amid Economic Shockwaves”

A2A23A1E5A24

“China Blocks Metta Acquisition of AI Firm Manus”

CNR Economic Voice

“只是換了溝通方式 先傾聽再表達最後共同解決 原本差點分手的這個衝突 就變成了兼顧彼此的圓滿的方案 其實溝通的方式有很多種核心永遠是 花時間 傾聽對方 我們知道了,感受是所有關係的基礎。 難過的情緒從來不是關係的敵人, 反而能成為加深彼此關注的機會。 關鍵在於,我們處理情緒時,要帶著關心與尊重。 學會聽聽,學會理解,學會站在對方的角度思考。”

BCC News Taiwan

“之後說不定還有什麼錄音團 感覺應該會 感覺它就會越出越多不同的東西 各種模式 好啦這就是一些新世代的社交 也提供給大家參考 年輕人 真的 你有沒有喜歡的社交呢 也歡迎你可以上到 王凱凱麥拉的粉絲專頁 來跟我們分享”

RTHK Radio 1 Hong Kong

“中国阻止了Metta对人工智能公司Manus的收购。”

fed_treasury

“China Blocks Metta Acquisition of AI Firm Manus”

BR24

“China hat die Übernahme des KI-Unternehmens Manus durch Metta blockiert.”

RFE/RL Radio Farda

“چین خرید شرکت هوش مصنوعی مانوس توسط متا را مسدود کرد.”

Código Radio

“China blocks Metta acquisition of AI firm Manus.”

Radio France Internationale

“China blocks Metta acquisition of AI firm Manus.”

RTHK Radio 3 HK

“on my mind Georgia! I said enjoy Georgia A song of you”

Baywave FM Japan

“中国はAI企業ManusのMettaによる買収を阻止しました。”

Europe 1

“China blocks Metta acquisition of AI firm Manus.”

CRI News Radio

“China Blocks Metta Acquisition of AI Firm Manus”

RFI Monde

“La Chine a bloqué le rachat de la société d'IA Manus par Metta.”

CCTV

“China Blocks Metta Acquisition of AI Firm Manus”

VOV1 Vietnam

“China Blocks Metta Acquisition of AI Firm Manus”

BFM Radio

“qui ont été diffusées de Thomas, de Cole Thomas Allen, qui a laissé une lettre pour expliquer son geste et ce moque du dispositif de sécurité entourant le président des États-Unis.”

Bloomberg Radio

“China blocks Metta acquisition of AI firm Manus.”

ERT Proto

“στο μικρόφωνο, ένα καλό υπόλοιπο να έχετε όλοι σας γεια. είναι τέσσερις.”

BBC World Service

“China's state planning agency has blocked the U.S. tech giant Metta from buying the Chinese artificial intelligence startup Manus.”

BBC World Service

“Facebook and WhatsApp, acquired Manus for more than $2 billion in December.”

Skai 100.3

“αριστερές ακτηβιστικές δραστηριότητες στο Λοσάνγελισ, απέκτησε πυροβόλε όπλα και αρχισε να εγκρατήσει.”

CKNW 980 Vancouver

“9 a.m. crossing is now your next with space. shop the Canadian”

RFI Monde

“L'instance avait déjà suspendu pour neuf mois la principale formation d'opposition de gauche, révolutionne S.U.D.A.D.A.N. Proche de l'ex-président Raphaël Coréa.”

BBC WS backup

“I like to play with people. Welcome to the interview from the...”

CKNW 980 Vancouver

“China has officially blocked Meta's planned acquisition of AI startup Moninus following a regulatory probe that began in January.”

SWR Aktuell

“China hat einen milliardenschweren KI-Deal zwischen einem chinesischen Start-up und dem Facebook-Mutterkonzern Meta gestoppt. Konkret ging es um das Unternehmen Manus, das entwickelt sogenannte KI-Agenten, die mit wenig menschlicher Hilfe komplexe Aufgaben lösen können.”

CRI Huayu Global

“這種靈駕在毫無同情心上的幸災樂禍的激動情緒, 消退的極快,人們迅速地趕到了屋。 是車三,要矮狀許多。 再看了手機,卻已經被行力用布裹住, 預備拿去城門懸掛示眾。 冰事件王漢死死地瞪著最邊上的罪犯使手不放, 不免很是胡以上前問道, 誒,你做什麼? 王漢問道,這個人犯了什麼罪? 你聽見沒有? 偽造反信,陷害盧靈王和當朝宰相的第一項拱, 最大恶极,他是手犯”

ICI Radio-Canada

“ce genre-là depuis les années 90 qui lui permet notamment de rien.”

CNA938 Singapore

“Beijing has blocked Mattis' $2 billion acquisition of Singapore-based AI startup Menace amid an intensifying tech war. The firm was originally founded in China. I'm Nisha Karin with this report. country, state planner demanded the parties involved to withdraw from the acquisition. It did not elaborate on reasons for the ban and Meta has hit back, saying the transaction fully complied with applicable law.”

CNA938 Singapore

“China Blocks Metta Acquisition of AI Firm Manus. It also comes just weeks ahead of an anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.”

CNR Economic Voice

“National Development and Reform Commission yesterday released news stating that the Foreign Investment Security Review Mechanism Office has made a decision to prohibit investment in the Menners acquisition project.”

CNA938 Singapore

“Beijing has blocked Meta's $2 billion acquisition of Singapore-based AI startup Manus amid an intensifying tech war. Without naming Meta, the country's state planner demanded the parties involved to withdraw from the acquisition.”

CRI Huayu Global

“外商投資安全審查工作機制辦公室依法依規 ,對外資收購Manus項目做出禁止投資決定,要求當事人撤銷該收購交易。Manus項目是指由中國團隊研發的,全球首款通用AI智能體。”

WAMU 88.5 DC

“Meta acquired the startup Manus AI in December. It's based in Singapore but got its start in China and only moved to the Southeast Asian country last year.”

CRI Huayu Global

“外商投資安全審查工作機制辦公室依法依規 對外資收購Manus項目做出禁止投資決定 要求當事人撤銷該收購交易”

KQED FM

“The Chinese government is blocking the tech company Metta's $2 billion purchase of an artificial intelligence startup with roots in China.”

KQED FM

“in China and only moved to the Southeast Asian country last year. in Manus and requires the parties involved to undo the acquisition.”

BBC World Service

“a big deal between meta and a Chinese AI start-up which has now been blocked by the Chinese government”

Mastodon

“China just blocked Meta's acquisition of Manus AI — an agentic AI startup with Chinese roots, registered in Singapore. Beijing's NDRC cited fears of the US gaining Chinese AI talent and intellectual p...”

WBUR Boston

“Nick, you've been monitoring a big deal between Metta and the Chinese AI startup, which has now been blocked by the Chinese government.”

BBC WS backup

“You've been monitoring a big deal between Metta and the Chinese AI startup, which has now been blocked by the Chinese government.”

WBUR Boston

“the Chinese regulators aren't happy. They've ordered for this deal to be wound down. They haven't given any specific reasons”

BBC World Service

“the idea was to basically buy the company $2 billion integrated into Meta's platforms and enhance Meta's AI capabilities like that. Last year the deal was done, it was all signed, Manus staff here in Singapore”

WAMU 88.5 DC

“The idea was to to basically buy the company 2 billion... They've ordered for this deal to be wound down.”

BBC World Service

“deal was done, it was all signed, Manus staff here in Singapore”

BBC WS backup

“But the Chinese regulators aren't happy. They've ordered for this deal to be wound down. They haven't given any specific reasons, but you'd imagine it's an attempt to basically keep Chinese tech in Chinese hands.”

BBC World Service

“The idea was to basically buy the company $2 billion integrated into Meta's platforms and enhance Meta's AI capabilities like that. Last year the deal was done, it was all signed.”

WAMU 88.5 DC

“They've ordered for this deal to be wound down. They haven't given any specific reasons, but you'd imagine it's an attempt to basically keep Chinese tech in Chinese hands.”

BBC World Service

“The idea was to basically buy the company $2 billion integrated into Meta's platforms and enhance Meta's AI capabilities like that.”

BBC World Service

“deal was done, it was all signed, Manus staff here in Singapore will Meta even listen to this, you know, an American company listening to the Chinese regulator?”

Bloomberg Radio

“And then, from China, blocking basically Meta's acquisition of Manus, forcing it to unwind that deal. So all this sapping investor optimism for the sector.”

CNA938 Singapore

“the country's state planner demanded the parties involved to withdraw from the acquisition. It did not elaborate on reasons for the ban, and Meta has hit back, saying the transaction fully complied with applicable law.”

Zhihu

“国家发改委「禁止外资收购 Manus 项目,要求撤销交易」,此事对中国 AI 企业出海有何警示意义?”

Zhihu

“外商投资安全审查工作机制办公室(国家发展改革委)依法依规对外资收购 Manus 项目作出禁止投资决定,要求当事人撤销该收购交易。”

Zhihu Trending

“4 月 27 日,外商投资安全审查工作机制办公室(国家发展改革委)依法依规对外资收购 Manus 项目作出禁止投资决定,要求当事人撤销该收购交易。”

Zhihu

“4 月 27 日,外商投资安全审查工作机制办公室(国家发展改革委)依法依规对外资收购 Manus 项目作出禁止投资决定,要求当事人撤销该收购交易。”

WBUR Boston

“a big deal between Metta and the Chinese AI startup, which has has now been blocked by the Chinese government.”

Zhihu Trending

“外商投资安全审查工作机制办公室(国家发展改革委)依法依规对外资收购 Manus 项目作出禁止投资决定,要求当事人撤销该收购交易。”

CNR Economic Voice

“今天国家电网这将1000辅特高压交流环网工程开工 全面建成后每年将销纳清洁能源电量超570亿千瓦时”

Bluesky Social

“Meta prepares to undo Manus acquisition after China ban, WSJ reports”

Mastodon

“China blocks Meta's $2 billion takeover of AI startup Manus... China’s state planner asked Manus and Meta to withdraw the...”

Bluesky Social

“China blocks Meta's $2 billion takeover of AI startup Manus... China’s state planner asked Manus and Meta to withdraw t...”

Mastodon

“China has reportedly killed Facebook's acquisition of Manus, a Chinese artificial intelligence company, amid growing tensions between the United States and China in the field of AI.”

DLF Nova

“Die Nationale Entwicklungs- und Reformkommission in China untersagte diesen Montag den Deal und ordnete die Runde.”

RTHK Radio 3 HK

“China on Monday blocked Metta's acquisition of the artificial intelligence startup Manus, which has Chinese roots but is Singapore based. China used a 15-year-old law for the first time to block this deal.”

CRI Huayu Global

“外商投資安全審查工作機制辦公室依法依規,對外資收購MENUS項目做出禁止投資決定,要求當事人撤銷該收購交易。”

VOV1 Vietnam

“Chính phủ Trung Quốc hôm nay quyết định ngăn chặn tập đoàn công nghệ Mỹ META công ty khởi nghiệp về trí tuệ nhân tạm menus buộc thương vụ trị giảm.”

VOV1 Vietnam

“Chính phủ Trung Quốc hôm nay quyết định ngăn chặn tập đoàn công nghệ Mỹ META công ty khởi nghiệp về trí tuệ nhân menus buộc thương vụ trị giảm.”

CRI Huayu Global

“投資安全審查工作機制辦公室依法依規 對外資收購Mennus項目做出禁止投資決定 要求當事人撤銷該收購交易”

CRI Huayu Global

“对外资收购MENUS项目做出禁止投资决定, 要求当事人撤销该收购交易。MENUS项目是指由中国团队研发的全球首款通用AI智能体。”

RFI Monde

“La Chine bloque le rachat d'une start-up de l'intelligence artificielle par le géant américain Métain. Pékin a officiellement interdit cette acquisition, une décision rare dans le secteur des nouvelles technologies”

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