Manus AI lays off China staff, scrubs social media, shelves mainland service
South China Morning PostTuesday, July 15, 2025 at 12:00:21 PM
Manus AI, the company behind a general-purpose AI agent, just made some big moves—and they don’t look great for its presence in China. Reports say the firm laid off most of its Beijing staff last week as part of a reshuffle tied to moving its HQ to Singapore. Even more telling: Manus wiped its Chinese social media accounts clean, and users now get a "not available in your region" message instead of the old "Chinese version is under development" notice. It’s a sharp pivot away from the mainland market.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another corporate restructuring—it’s a sign of how tricky it’s becoming for AI firms to navigate China’s tight regulations and competitive landscape. Manus’s sudden retreat suggests deeper challenges, whether it’s policy hurdles, funding issues, or a strategic shift. For the broader AI sector, it’s a reminder that even promising startups can hit roadblocks when expanding across borders, especially in tightly controlled markets like China. Keep an eye on whether other foreign AI players follow suit.
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