China blocks Meta's $2 billion purchase of Chinese AI startup Manus

China's National Development and Reform Commission blocked US tech giant Meta's purchase of Chinese AI startup Manus on ​Monday, ordering the cancellation of the over $2 billion deal. Meta first announced that it was acquiring Manus in December. In March, Manus CEO Xiao Hong and chief scientist Ji Yichao ​were reportedly barred from leaving China as regulators reviewed the deal.