China has said that it will provide consular protection and assistance to the arrested employees working for Chinese smartphone maker Vivo in India. The company expressed its firm backing to the Chinese businesses in protecting their lawful rights and interests.
Reacting to the arrest of some Vivo officials,
Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing that China is closely following the issue.
“The Chinese embassy and consulates in India will continue to provide consular protection and assistance to the individuals concerned in accordance with the law,” she said.
“The Chinese government firmly supports Chinese businesses in safeguarding their lawful rights and interests. We hope that India will fully recognise the mutually beneficial nature of the business cooperation between our two countries and provide a fair, just, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment,” she said.
Last week, the
Enforcement Directorate
(ED) arrested three Vivo India executives in connection with its money laundering probe against the smartphone maker and some others. Interim CEO of Vivo India Hong Xuquan alias Terry (a Chinese national), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Harinder Dahiya and consultant Hemant Munjal have been taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The federal agency had earlier made four arrests in the case which included mobile company Lava International's MD Hari Om Rai, Chinese national Guangwen alias Andrew Kuang and chartered accountants Nitin Garg and Rajan Malik. They are in judicial custody at present.
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