After navigating through a high-profile acquisition controversy, Chinese AI powerhouse Manus has successfully secured over US$500 million in a new funding round. Founder Xiao Hong’s travel restrictions have been lifted, paving the way for the company’s full resumption of operations. This financing stands out as one of the largest single-round investments in China’s AI application landscape, with Boyu Capital and IDG Capital taking the lead. Backers also include returning investors such as Tencent, Sequoia China, and ZhenFund. With this injection of capital, Manus now boasts a valuation of US$4 billion, solidifying its position as China’s most valuable AI agent startup. The company’s journey has not been without turbulence; Meta’s proposed US$2 billion acquisition of Manus in December of the previous year was ultimately called off at the behest of Chinese regulatory authorities.