Adds context on reports about the NDRC and the regulator's action targeting Manus

BEIJING, May 22 (Reuters) - China's powerful state planner said on Friday the government has never required Chinese technology companies to reject foreign investment, responding to a media question about whether Beijing plans to ask Chinese firms to refuse investment from U.S. capital.

Last month, Bloomberg News reported that the National Development and Reform Commission and other regulators instructed several private technology firms to reject U.S. investment in funding rounds unless explicitly approved, citing people familiar with the matter.

The state planner's denial comes as it looks to manage the fallout of a decision last month to order U.S. tech giant Meta META.O to unwind its acquisition of Chinese artificial intelligence startup Manus, which has sent chills across the startup and foreign business community.