Experts comment on the ban on the Manus acquisition: Using a shell company and relocation to circumvent regulations is ultimately doomed to failure.

According to CCTV News, the Office of the Foreign Investment Security Review Mechanism has issued a prohibition decision on the foreign acquisition of the Manus project, requiring the parties involved to withdraw the acquisition transaction. Manus was initially developed by the Chinese company Butterfly Effect. After its release in March 2025, it became an overnight sensation. In June of the same year, it moved its headquarters to Singapore and ceased operations in China. In December 2025, it was acquired by the US company Meta for approximately $2 billion. Zhou Mi, a researcher at the Ministry of Commerce Research Institute, stated that Manus's move of the project to Singapore through capital and corporate transfers before its sale to a US company raises suspicions of intentional regulatory evasion. If such practices are not controlled, more companies will follow suit, harming national development interests and security. Zhou Mi emphasized that China has always maintained an open attitude towards foreign investment, but takes a cautious stance on sensitive investments involving key technologies and data security. "Maliciously evading regulation will ultimately fail to achieve its purpose."