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Beijing May Block AI Company’s “De-China” Effort

Manus is an artificial intelligence company that develops large-model–based autonomous agent technologies and products designed to carry out complex tasks and workflows. Founded in March last year by its Beijing-based parent company, Butterfly Effect, Manus later relocated its headquarters to Singapore after receiving U.S. investment, laying off Chinese staff and fully exiting the China market to focus on overseas AI development. Observers widely believe the move was aimed at avoiding U.S. investment restrictions involving China and sidestepping Chinese regulatory oversight.

Meta announced late last year that it would acquire Manus at a valuation exceeding US$2 billion. After the deal became public, China’s technology and investment circles voiced strong praise for Manus’s trajectory, with many emphasizing the strategic importance of its decision to leave China. Analysts note, however, that Chinese authorities are wary of other technology firms following a similar “de-China” path.

China’s Ministry of Commerce has reportedly begun assessing whether Manus’s relocation of personnel and technology abroad, as well as its sale to Meta, should have required prior approval under China’s technology export regulations. Analysts caution that even if a company moves overseas, technologies developed in China may still fall under Chinese export control laws. If such technologies are deemed restricted, Beijing could intervene in the transaction—potentially invalidating contracts, imposing penalties, or, in extreme cases, blocking the acquisition altogether.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, January 7, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260107-8067327

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Trump Issues Executive Order for “Companies with Ties to China” to Divest Their U.S.-related Semiconductor Chip Assets

Shanghai-based Chinese online news site Guancha recently reported that U.S. President Trump has once again “targeted China,” making “underhanded” moves in the semiconductor sector. The Trump administration just issued an executive order, again citing so-called “national security” reasons, ordering the forced divestiture of semiconductor-related assets acquired by HieFo.

HieFo Optoelectronics is a photonic chip manufacturing company located in California, USA. On May 1, 2024, HieFo completed the full acquisition of U.S. company Emcore’s wafer manufacturing and photonic chip-related assets. The Trump administration claimed that HieFo was “controlled by a Chinese citizen.” In a press release in September 2025, HieFo confirmed Genzao Zhang as the company’s CEO and co-founder, noting that he previously served as the Vice President of Engineering at Emcore.

Trump issued the executive order under the Defense Production Act. Trump claimed there was “credible evidence” that HieFo’s acquisition of Emcore’s digital chip and related wafer design, manufacturing, and processing business “could threaten U.S. national security.”

This new move demonstrates the U.S. government’s crackdown and restrictions on “companies with ties to China” in areas such as semiconductors amid escalating geopolitical and technological competition between the U.S. and China.

Source: Guancha, January 3, 2026
https://www.toutiao.com/article/7590933838105248282

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology US-China Relations

Guangxi Accelerates AI Integration as New Technologies Target ASEAN Markets

On December 26, the “A-Super Night” event of the AI Empowerment Super League was held at Guangxi University, highlighting the growing integration of artificial intelligence across multiple industries under the model of “R&D in Beijing or Shanghai, integration in Guangxi, and application in ASEAN.” Four companies unveiled a range of new AI products aimed at industrial upgrading and deeper regional cooperation.

Among the highlights was “Rundao XingSuan,” Guangxi’s first token-priced intelligent computing platform. Designed to turn computing power into a shared public resource, the platform aggregates dispersed computing capacity and provides affordable, on-demand access. Organizers described it as a “computing utility,” offering inclusive AI infrastructure for Guangxi while extending computing services to ASEAN markets.

Other innovations included an AI-enabled robotic microbiology testing laboratory that enhances efficiency and safety, the “Smart Cube” immersive service robot for tourism and commercial venues, and three ASEAN-oriented AI products focused on smart agriculture, AI-driven Chinese language education, and intelligent ERP systems for small and medium-sized enterprises. Together, these releases underscore Guangxi’s emerging role as a key hub connecting China’s AI research capabilities with real-world applications across Southeast Asia.

Source: People’s Daily, December 27, 2025
http://gx.people.com.cn/n2/2025/1227/c179464-41455803.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Information/Technology

People’s Daily: Nearly 495,000 Overseas Students Returned to China in 2024, Up 19.1 Percent Year on Year

China’s Ministry of Education said that 495,000 Chinese students who studied overseas returned to China in 2024, a 19.1 percent increase from the previous year, highlighting a growing trend of overseas talent returning home. The announcement was made at the 30th anniversary of the “Chunhui Plan” and the 2025 Chunhui Innovation and Entrepreneurship Exchange held in Shanghai.

Since 1978, 8.88 million Chinese students have studied abroad, with 6.44 million eventually returning to China. Of these, 5.63 million have returned since the 18th Chinese Communist Party’s National Congress (when Xi Jinping came into power in 2012), accounting for about 87 percent of all returnees, providing strong support for China’s economic and technological development.

Source: People’s Daily, December 12, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1212/c1002-40622757.html

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

U.S. Bans Imports of New Drone Models from DJI

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added all foreign-made drones and components, including those from China’s DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, and China’s Autel Robotics, to its “Controlled List,” prohibiting the approval of new drone models for import or sale in the United States. The FCC determined that these foreign companies pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security.

China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a statement expressing its firm opposition, stating that the United States has repeatedly generalized the concept of national security and used state power to suppress companies from other countries, which is a typical practice of market distortion and unilateral bullying. Meanwhile Chinese Foreign Ministry also stated that it firmly opposes the U.S.’s overgeneralization of the concept of national security, its creation of discriminatory lists, and its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies, and urged the U.S. to correct its erroneous practices – or China will resolutely take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, December 23, 2025
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20251223-8007543

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology US-China Relations

China Proposes Legislation to Regulate AI-Generated Content and Protect National Security

China’s Cyberspace Administration has drafted provisional regulations to govern anthropomorphic AI interaction services, prohibiting the generation and dissemination of content that endangers national security, damages national honor and interests, or spreads rumors that disrupt economic and social order.

According to the official website of China’s Cyberspace Administration, the draft “Interim Measures for the Management of Anthropomorphic Artificial Intelligence Interaction Services” was released for public consultation on December 27th. The proposed regulations aim to promote the healthy development and standardized application of anthropomorphic AI interaction services while safeguarding national security, social public interests, and the legitimate rights of citizens, legal entities, and other organizations. The measures advocate for innovative development of these services while implementing prudent and classified supervision to prevent abuse and loss of control.

The draft outlines eight prohibited activities for providers and users of anthropomorphic interaction services. These include generating or spreading content that harms national security, damages national honor and interests, undermines ethnic unity, conducts illegal religious activities, or spreads rumors disrupting economic and social order. Additionally, the regulations prohibit content promoting obscenity, gambling, violence, or criminal instruction, as well as content that insults or defames others and infringes upon their legitimate rights.

The measures also forbid services that provide false promises significantly affecting user behavior or damage social relationships. Further restrictions address activities that harm users’ physical health through encouraging or glorifying suicide and self-harm, or damage psychological health through verbal violence and emotional manipulation. The regulations prohibit inducing unreasonable user decisions through algorithmic manipulation, information misleading, or emotional traps, as well as soliciting classified sensitive information and other violations of laws and regulations.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 28, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202512280074.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Information/Technology

China Announces Mandates of National Real-Name Registration and Identification of Civilian Drones

China’s market regulator has issued two mandatory national standards for civilian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), focusing on real-name registration, activation, and operational identification. Under the new rules, all civilian drones in China must display registration information and complete real-name registration and activation before they can be flown. The standards also require drones to continuously broadcast identity, position, speed, and status data during flight to ensure full visibility and regulatory oversight.

The regulations mandate additional technical requirements, including anti-tampering protections for identification systems and the storage of flight data for at least 120 flight hours. Drones will be prohibited from flying if their identification systems are not functioning properly.

Both standards will take effect on May 1 next year, with transition periods for existing drones and manufacturers. Producers must upgrade older models within 12 months, while previously sold drones will have a 36-month transition period to meet the new requirements. After this period, non-compliant drones will be banned from operation. Authorities also plan to implement product certification and enforce penalties against non-compliant manufacturing and sales.

Source: Huanqiu Times, December 9, 2025
https://uav.huanqiu.com/article/4PTwtDoP9tG

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology Social Stability

Huanqiu Times: China Emerges as the World’s Largest Robot Producer and a Leading Global Exporter

Huanqiu Times reported, citing Vietnam News Agency, that China has become the world’s largest producer of robots, manufacturing 556,000 industrial robots and nearly 10.52 million service robots in 2024. As technology advances and applications expand, Chinese-made robots are rapidly entering global markets and driving industrial innovation. In 2024, China also became the second-largest exporter of industrial robots worldwide, with exports surging 61.5 percent year over year in the first half of the year.

Beyond industrial robots, Chinese service and humanoid robots are seeing growing international adoption. Shanghai-based Keenon Robotics has deployed service robots in restaurants, hotels, and hospitals across more than 60 countries and regions, while Shenzhen-based Chasing Innovation has exported underwater robots to over 100 countries for seabed exploration, emergency rescue, and scientific research.

Looking ahead, Moga Technology aims to sell over 40,000 humanoid robots and 90,000 robotic dogs globally by 2030, targeting applications such as retail, reception, consultation, and companionship.

Source: Huanqiu Times, December 10, 2025
https://finance.huanqiu.com/article/4PUmHNOgwot

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Information/Technology