Meta Moves to Acquire Chinese AI Startup Manus, Impacting Global AI Competition Landscape

On December 29, 2025, U.S. tech giant Meta announced plans to acquire Chinese-founded artificial intelligence startup Manus in a strategic move to bolster advanced AI capabilities across its product suite. According to Reuters, the acquisition is intended to integrate Manus’s strengths in natural language processing, core machine learning algorithms, and cross-platform AI integration into Meta’s broader AI ecosystem, enhancing competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global technology market. Manus, known for its innovation and technical achievements in both domestic and international arenas, has drawn significant attention from the tech industry, with some of its technologies considered at the forefront of AI research.

Observers say the deal could reshape the allocation of talent and technology in the global AI race and spur debate on technology standards, data security, and cross-border investment rules. Chinese regulatory authorities have yet to grant final approval, signaling that the transaction will undergo rigorous review under prevailing oversight mechanisms. This development is seen as a notable instance of a Chinese tech venture gaining international acquisition interest, underscoring intensifying competition in the worldwide AI sector.