Raids on Vivo: China hopes for honest probe in accordance with legislation

China on Wednesday expressed hope that India will conduct the continuing investigations into the Chinese cellular producer agency Vivo in accordance with the legislation and laws and supply a “fair” and “non-discriminatory” enterprise surroundings to China’s companies.

Asked in regards to the ongoing raids on Vivo workplaces in a number of areas in India, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian advised a media briefing right here that the Chinese facet is intently following the developments on this matter.

“As I have stressed many times, the Chinese government always asks Chinese companies to abide by laws and regulations when doing business overseas,” he mentioned.
“In the meantime, we firmly support Chinese companies in safeguarding their lawful rights and interests,” he mentioned.

“We hope the Indian side will conduct investigations and law enforcement in accordance with laws and regulations and earnestly provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing and operating in India,” the spokesman mentioned.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided at the very least 44 locations throughout India on Tuesday in a money-laundering investigation in opposition to Chinese smartphone producer Vivo and associated companies.

The searches have been carried out beneath sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at areas in a number of states together with Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya and Maharashtra.

A Vivo India spokesperson mentioned they’re cooperating with authorities.

The motion is being seen as a part of the Union authorities’s steps to tighten checks on Chinese entities and the continued crackdown on such companies and their linked Indian operatives which are allegedly indulging in critical monetary crimes like cash laundering and tax evasion whereas working in India.

The stepped-up motion in opposition to the Chinese-backed corporations or entities working in India comes within the backdrop of the navy stand-off between the 2 international locations alongside the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in jap Ladakh has been ongoing for greater than two years now.