The US$2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus by Meta Platforms has sent shockwaves through the Chinese tech ecosystem, exposing the fragility of the “Singapore-washing” strategy that many founders once relied on to sidestep geopolitical crossfires. The deal, which was finalized in early 2026, triggered an aggressive response from Beijing, forcing a sweeping reallocation of resources among startups operating in the gray zone between Chinese origins and global ambitions.