On Wednesday, China expressed its hope that India will conduct the current inquiries into the Chinese cellphone maker Vivo in line with the law and regulations and offer Chinese companies a “fair” and “non-discriminatory” business environment.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded to questions about the continuing raids on Vivo offices in many cities throughout India by saying that his country is actively monitoring the situation.
He said, “As I have often emphasised, the Chinese government constantly requests Chinese enterprises to follow rules and regulations while conducting business abroad.
He said, “In the meanwhile, we fully back Chinese enterprises in defending their legitimate rights and interests.”
The spokesman stated, “We hope the Indian side would carry out inquiries and law enforcement in compliance with laws and regulations and really create a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in India.
Tuesday saw at least 44 locations throughout India searched by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of a money-laundering probe against Vivo and linked businesses, a producer of Chinese smartphones.
Sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) were used to conduct the searches at locations across many states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Maharashtra.
A spokesman for Vivo India stated that the company is working with the law.
The move is being viewed as a component of the Union government’s efforts to strengthen controls over Chinese entities and the ongoing crackdown on such businesses and their associated Indian operatives who are allegedly engaging in serious financial crimes like money laundering and tax evasion while operating in India.
As a result of the protracted military standoff between the two nations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh for more than two years, action against Chinese-backed businesses or other organisations operating in India has been taken up.
