On Thursday, January 8, 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced a formal investigation into Meta Platforms’ recent acquisition of the artificial intelligence startup Manus. The probe centers on potential violations of technology export laws and national security regulations.
Regulatory Scrutiny on Global Tech Deals
During a press briefing, ministry spokesperson He Yadong emphasized that all enterprises involved in cross-border activities must strictly adhere to Chinese law. This includes regulations governing:
- Foreign investment and acquisitions.
- Technology exports and intellectual property transfers.
- Cross-border data transfers involving sensitive information.
The ministry plans to collaborate with several other government departments to evaluate whether the deal aligns with existing export controls.
Why China is Investigating the Manus Deal
The primary concern for Beijing regulators involves the origins of Manus. Although the startup is currently based in Singapore, it was originally founded by Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing.
Authorities are specifically investigating whether the relocation of the company’s staff and core AI technology to Singapore in 2025 required an official export license. If regulators determine that the technology was moved without proper authorization, the acquisition by a U.S. tech giant could be deemed a violation of Chinese law.
The Rise of Manus and Meta’s AI Ambitions
Meta reportedly finalized the purchase of Manus in late 2025 for a valuation exceeding $2 billion. The deal is considered a cornerstone of Mark Zuckerberg’s strategy to lead the “agentic AI” era.
Manus gained global fame earlier in 2025 for its general-purpose AI agent, which can autonomously perform complex tasks such as:
- Conducting deep market research.
- Writing and debugging software code.
- Managing stock portfolios and financial analysis.
Potential Impact on Future Tech Exports
While the investigation is in its early stages, it serves as a stern warning to other Chinese-founded startups attempting to move operations abroad. If Beijing successfully blocks or penalizes the deal, it could set a precedent for how China manages its “AI talent drain.”
Industry analysts suggest that this move underscores the intensifying U.S.-China tech rivalry, where AI technology has become a critical national asset.
