This advanced journalistic report was prepared to cover the behind-the-scenes details of Tencent acquiring Meta’s stake in Manus and related topics in the global technology and regulatory sector.
Article Index:
- Details of the purchase deal and forced divestment
- Beijing’s intervention and the dismantling of Meta’s previous deal
- Future growth prospects and the new ownership structure
- Frequently asked questions
Details of the purchase deal and forced divestment
Chinese tech giant Tencent is preparing to become the largest external shareholder in Chinese AI development company Manus by fully acquiring Meta Platforms’ stake in the startup, according to Nikkei Asia. This major financial transaction officially brings down the curtain on the forced divestment and dismantling of the previous acquisition deal, which was blocked earlier this year by regulatory authorities in Beijing under the pretext of safeguarding China’s national security and technological sovereignty.
Contractual arrangements for the new deal dictate that Tencent, in alliance with a number of Manus’ early investors such as Sequoia China and ZhenFund, will purchase all shares and investment interests owned by Meta for approximately $2 billion—nearly the same amount Meta paid to acquire the startup in late 2025. Manus officially announced on August 11 the completion of its separation from Meta and the resumption of all operations and activities as an independent technology company.
Beijing’s intervention and the dismantling of Meta’s previous deal
The roots of the crisis trace back to December 2025, when Meta struck a massive deal exceeding $2 billion to acquire Manus, aiming to integrate the company’s smart autonomous agent technologies into its advertising platforms and consumer products targeted at users worldwide. However, in April 2026, China’s National Development and Reform Commission issued a decisive ruling banning this foreign direct investment, obligating the concerned parties to dismantle the deal and fully cancel the acquisition based on laws regulating foreign takeovers of sensitive domestic technology assets.
The Chinese regulatory committee’s decision came after Manus management relocated approximately 100 employees to Meta’s regional offices in Singapore and severed its operational ties within China—a move criticized by Chinese state media as an illicit foreign re-listing aimed at evading local oversight. By June, Meta had completed a full operational separation from Manus and suspended mutual data-sharing operations between the two sides, according to reports by CNBC.
Future growth prospects and the new ownership structure
Reuters reported in July that Tencent had entered into serious talks to lead a consortium of original investors to reclaim ownership of the company from Meta for no less than $2 billion. Reports from the Ifeng platform, citing Nikkei, indicated that the deal’s terms appear very favorable for the new buyers; data shows Manus’ annual recurring revenue has surged to between $400 million and $500 million, compared to just around $100 million when Meta acquired it, although part of this rapid growth was achieved thanks to access to Meta’s advertising infrastructure.
Following the completion of the ownership transfer, Tencent is expected to hold a minority stake that remains the largest among external shareholders, while ZhenFund and other former investors will split the remainder of the ownership table. Manus has affirmed its commitment to continuing service for its international user base, noting that some accounts may experience temporary changes during the transition phase, while Tencent has not issued any official comment as of yet.
Frequently asked questions
Question: How much was the deal to purchase Meta’s stake in Manus?
Answer: The deal is valued at approximately $2 billion, which is roughly the same amount Meta paid to acquire the startup in late 2025.
Question: Why did Chinese authorities order the dismantling of Meta’s acquisition of Manus?
Answer: The National Development and Reform Commission issued the dismantling order to protect national security and enforce laws regulating foreign acquisitions of Chinese technology.
Question: How has Manus’ financial revenue recently changed?
Answer: Manus’ annual recurring revenue rose to between $400 million and $500 million, compared to $100 million at the time of the previous deal.
Question: What is the new investment structure for Manus following the deal?
Answer: Tencent will become the largest external shareholder in Manus alongside previous investors like Sequoia China and ZhenFund, with the company remaining an independent entity.
