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China Bars Manus Founders, Blocks Meta's $2B AI Startup Acquisition
Chinese authorities have blocked Meta's $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup, by imposing an exit ban on the company's co-founders, Xiao Hong and Ji Yichao. The two executives cannot leave China, though domestic travel remains permitted. China's National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce are investigating whether the deal violates foreign direct investment rules and technology export controls.
April 27, 2026
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