China Blocks Meta's Manus Acquisition, AI Dramas Takedown, and 'Lying Flat' Conspiracy

Chinese regulators have mandated that Meta reverse its acquisition of Manus, an AI startup established in Beijing in 2022 that later moved to Singapore, due to concerns regarding AI sovereignty. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has banned the foreign takeover and instructed all involved parties to withdraw. In a related development, Chinese platforms Douyin and Hongguo have taken down several AI-generated short dramas, including the well-known 'Bodhi Comes to the World,' for breaching content governance rules, indicating heightened scrutiny of AI content. Furthermore, China's Ministry of State Security released an article alleging that foreign entities are funding Chinese influencers to promote the 'Lying Flat' (tangping) movement among youth, portraying it as a trend orchestrated by anti-China forces. During the May Day holiday from May 1-7, an estimated 1.52 billion cross-regional trips are anticipated. On April 28, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged preparations for 'new styles of warfare' at a security meeting. A 14-year-old boy from Yunnan received a life sentence for the rape and murder of a 15-year-old classmate in July 2025, raising national awareness about juvenile crime laws. In a localization effort, McDonald's in Guangzhou temporarily changed its name to 'Peony Tower.' Additionally, Durian Chicken Stew has gained popularity as a novel fruit-meat dish.