China's NDRC Blocks US Meta's Acquisition of AI Firm Manus

goodinfo.net — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:30:00 +0800

📰 China’s NDRC Blocks US Meta’s Acquisition of AI Firm Manus

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on April 27, 2026, a formal prohibition on foreign investment in the AI startup Manus project under the Foreign Investment Security Review Measures, ordering the relevant parties to withdraw the transaction. This marks the first time China has exercised veto power over foreign acquisition of core AI assets, signaling a new phase in US-China tech competition.

The Review Decision

In its public statement, the NDRC stated that the Manus project involves critical technologies and core data in the artificial intelligence sector, and that foreign acquisition could pose significant risks to national security. After a comprehensive assessment, the commission concluded that the transaction did not meet the requirements of China’s foreign investment security review framework.

According to multiple media reports, US tech giant Meta had previously planned to acquire the Manus project. The AI startup has drawn industry attention for its AI agent technology and browser automation capabilities. The underlying Browser-Use technology behind Manus enables AI systems to browse the web and autonomously execute complex online tasks like humans — a capability widely regarded as strategically significant in large model applications.

Escalating US-China Tech Rivalry

The decision is seen as the latest escalation in US-China tech competition. In recent years, both sides have intensified their rivalry in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other critical fields. The US has previously imposed multiple rounds of export controls and investment restrictions on Chinese tech companies, while China’s veto on foreign acquisition of core AI assets is viewed as a reciprocal countermeasure.

Analysts at Lianhe Zaobao noted that Beijing’s move sends a clear signal: China will no longer allow core technologies in the AI sector to flow abroad through capital acquisition. For global tech investors, this means cross-border M&A transactions in China’s AI sector will face much stricter security scrutiny.

Industry Impact

Manus project’s browser automation technology represents the cutting edge of AI agent applications. The technology allows AI systems to autonomously complete web interactions, data extraction, form filling, and other complex operations — considered a key path toward artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Industry analysts believe that while this decision may affect some cross-border AI investment in the short term, it will encourage Chinese AI companies to focus more on technological self-reliance and intellectual property protection in the long run. It may also accelerate the fragmentation of the global AI industry landscape, leading to more pronounced regional competition.

Sources: China News Service, Lianhe Zaobao, ifeng Finance

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China's NDRC Blocks US Meta's Acquisition of AI Firm Manus