News

China Intervenes in Manus AI Startup Deal

Chinese authorities have intervened in Meta Platforms’ planned acquisition of AI startup Manus, a move that could significantly affect both the outcome and the timeline of the deal.

According to Reuters, regulators in Beijing have launched a review of the transaction—estimated at $2–3 billion—and have restricted the movement of key Manus executives. The company’s co-founders have been temporarily barred from leaving China while authorities examine the details of the sale and potential violations.

The main reason for the intervention is concern over technological security. In China, artificial intelligence is considered a strategically important sector, and the government is seeking to prevent the transfer of critical technologies to foreign entities. Additional scrutiny was triggered by Manus previously shifting part of its operations to Singapore, which may have been seen as an attempt to bypass China’s technology export restrictions.

The situation has already impacted the market: uncertainty surrounding the deal has unsettled investors and heightened concerns about tighter controls on cross-border technology transactions. Experts believe this case could set a precedent, making future AI deals between U.S. and Chinese companies more complex.

Source: Reuters.

TikTok Announces Completion of U.S. Deal

On January 22, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, announced the completion of the formation of a joint venture called TikTok USDS, in which American stakeholders hold a controlling interest. The move was made to avoid a potential ban under national security legislation. In the new company, 80.1% of

China plans to launch passenger flights with flying cars as early as 2026

China is planning to begin passenger transport using flying cars in 2026. By that time, seven Chinese companies intend to start delivering electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs). They aim to move from test flights to real-world operations, with the first commercial passenger services potentially launching as early as

Chinese smartphone makers are adjusting their product lineups due to rising chip prices

Chinese smartphone manufacturers have begun reshaping their product portfolios as memory chip prices rise and logistics costs increase. Lower-end models priced under $100 have been hit the hardest. Previously, Chinese brands focused on budget devices to drive high sales volumes. Now, they are shifting more attention to mid-range models. According

Read next