China blocks Facebook parent Meta's takeover of AI startup Manus

China has blocked Meta's acquisition of the AI startup Manus, which was announced last December with a deal valued at approximately $2 billion. This move aligns with China's efforts to tighten control over foreign companies operating in sensitive sectors like artificial intelligence, reflecting a growing trend of regulatory scrutiny. The decision impacts Meta's strategy to expand its AI technology, potentially hindering its progress in the Chinese market and highlighting the increasing tensions between the U.S. and China in the tech sector.