China Bars Manus Co-Founders from Leaving; Reviews Sale to Meta

China has restricted two co-founders of artificial intelligence (AI) startup Manus from leaving the country as regulators review whether Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of the firm violated investment rules, Reuters reported.

Manus is actively seeking law firms and consultancies to help resolve the matter. (Photo: Manus X)

Manus’s chief executive, Xiao Hong, and chief scientist, Ji Yichao, were summoned to a meeting in Beijing with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) this month, the Financial Times reported.

After the meeting, the executives were told they were not allowed to leave China due to the regulatory review, though they remain free to travel within the country. Manus is actively seeking law firms and consultancies to help resolve the matter, the newspaper said.