On April 27, 2026. An AI agent startup got blocked from selling to foreign buyers. The reason wasn't valuation. It was data governance. Image credit: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3k11q9qe1o The Trigger In April 2026, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) – through its investment arm – issued a prohibition notice against a foreign acquisition of Manus, an AI agent startup building the orchestration layer between large language models and real‑world b

I'm currently in Hangzhou, an amazing tech valley in China that has become a powerhouse for AI and robotics innovation. From watching these robots dazzle on the CNY Gala stage to seeing them up close in exhibition halls, the energy is palpable. What strikes me most is the clear differentiation among the leading players. Each has carved out a unique niche: • Unitree: Legged locomotion champion. Global leader in quadruped sales (70% market share). From backflipping H1 to agile