Chinese AI startup Manus has made significant strides, with its China-facing AI assistant now officially registered and receiving notable state media attention, as Beijing continues to promote domestic AI companies. The startup, which recently garnered global attention for releasing what it claims is the world’s first general AI agent capable of making decisions and executing tasks autonomously, is being positioned as a key player in China’s ambition to rival global AI leaders.
Manus’ breakthrough moment came when the company went viral on social media platform X, following the introduction of its AI agent, which offers a more advanced and independent functionality compared to current AI chatbots like ChatGPT and the AI model DeepSeek. Beijing’s state-run CCTV aired a segment showcasing Manus, highlighting the AI agent’s unique capabilities, and comparing it to DeepSeek’s AI chatbot, which also gained recognition for offering competitive performance at a fraction of the cost of its U.S. counterparts.
The Chinese government has supported Manus’ development, with Beijing’s municipal government approving the registration of Manus’ earlier AI assistant, Monica, which is a necessary step for launching generative AI apps in China. This regulatory approval aligns with Beijing’s strategy of bolstering the domestic AI sector while maintaining tight control over content deemed sensitive by the authorities.
In addition to government backing, Manus secured a strategic partnership with the team behind Alibaba’s Qwen AI models, further strengthening its position in the competitive AI landscape. Manus’ AI agent is currently available through an invite-only system, with a waitlist reportedly exceeding 2 million users.