Meta Platforms is continuing to integrate its US$2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus, despite an ongoing investigation by China’s Ministry of Commerce, according to sources.

Some Manus employees in Singapore moved into Meta’s offices and were granted corporate accounts and other access.

Meta was offering some of its employees the opportunity to transfer to Manus, preferring Chinese-speaking staff, according to two sources.

The acquisition involves talent and operational integration, including embedding Manus into Meta’s Ads Manager for performance analytics and optimization advice.

The Ministry of Commerce announced a review in early January to assess compliance with export and investment regulations, with no updates since.

One source said Chinese authorities view the case as a potential precedent for other Chinese AI firms expanding overseas.

Manus rose to fame in March 2025 after releasing what it described as the world’s first general AI agent.

The startup initially operated in Beijing and Wuhan before relocating to Singapore by mid-June 2025, laying off some China-based staff and shutting down its Chinese social media accounts.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

Recent Meta Platforms developments