Meta Platforms' (META) Singapore-based Manus' Chief Executive Xiao Hong and Chief Scientist Ji Yichao have been barred from leaving China as the National Development and Reform Commission is reviewing whether the acquisition breaches investment rules, the Financial Times reported Wednesday, citing three unnamed people familiar with the matter.

Both the executives were called to a meeting with the regulator this month and were questioned on potential breach of foreign direct investment rules regarding its onshore Chinese entities, the people told the FT.

The Singapore-based company is actively seeking law firms and consultancies to resolve the matter, the news outlet said, citing one of the people.

As the Facebook parent completed its $2 billion acquisition of Manus at the end of 2025, an extreme outcome from China would be to unwind the transaction, one of the persons told the FT, adding that such a settlement would be messy as Meta has started deploying Manus AI agent software into its operations.

"The transaction complied fully with applicable law. We anticipate an appropriate resolution to the inquiry," a Meta spokesperson told MT Newswires in an email Wednesday.

Manus did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment, while the Chinese regulator could not be reached.

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