Chinese AI startup Manus has gained significant attention following its recent registration of a China-facing AI assistant and its appearance in state media. Beijing is intensifying efforts to support domestic AI firms with international potential, inspired by the success of DeepSeek, which disrupted Silicon Valley by creating AI models on par with U.S. competitors but at a fraction of the cost. Investors are now searching for the next major Chinese startup, and Manus has emerged as a strong contender.
Manus recently went viral on social media with the launch of what it claims is the world’s first general AI agent. Unlike traditional chatbots like ChatGPT, Manus’ agent can autonomously make decisions and execute tasks with minimal input. This innovation caught the attention of both the public and investors, with many seeing it as a potential rival to global AI giants.
Beijing’s response mirrors the support given to DeepSeek, as the city’s municipal government has cleared Manus’ AI assistant, named Monica, for generative AI applications in China. The approval of this product is an important regulatory milestone, allowing Manus to move forward with its domestic rollout. China’s strict regulatory framework for AI ensures that generative apps adhere to the government’s content guidelines.
In addition to regulatory success, Manus has secured a strategic partnership with Alibaba’s Qwen AI team, which could accelerate the expansion of its AI agent within China. Currently, the agent is available by invite only, with a waiting list of 2 million users. With Beijing’s backing and the partnership with Alibaba, Manus is well-positioned to become a significant player in China’s AI industry.
source: Reuters