Chinese officials are reviewing Meta’s $2bn purchase of artificial intelligence platform Manus for possible technology export control violations, in a move that potentially gives Beijing leverage over the high-profile transaction. The deal announced last week is a rare case of a US group acquiring a cutting-edge AI start-up with Chinese roots at a time when Washington and Beijing are locked in an increasingly fraught competition over a range of advanced technologies. Two people familiar with the matter said officials in the commerce ministry had begun assessing whether the relocation of Manus’s staff and technology to Singapore and the subsequent sale to Meta required an export licence under Chinese law. While the review is in its early stages and might not lead to a formal investigation, the need for a licence could provide Beijing with an avenue to influence the transaction, including trying to force the parties to abandon the deal in an extreme case, the people said.

Full report : Chinese officials are reviewing Meta’s $2 billion Manus acquisition for possible tech export control violations, including Manus’ relocation to Singapore.