China's government blocks Manus AI founders from leaving the country and accuses Meta of a $2 billion scheme to weaken Chinese tech

China's National Security Commission, led by President Xi Jinping, labeled Meta's $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus as 'conspiratorial'

Beijing views the deal as an attempt to hollow out China's technology base and advantage foreign competitors

Chinese authorities have barred the founders of Manus from leaving the country, suggesting potential legal action