BEIJING: China on Monday said it will provide
consular protection
and assistance to the arrested employees working for China’s smartphone maker Vivo in India and expressed its firm backing to the Chinese businesses in protecting their lawful rights and interests.
ED last week arrested three Vivo-India executives in connection with a
money laundering probe
against the Chinese company and others.
Asked for her reaction to the arrests, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing on Monday 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.
“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.
Interim CEO of Vivo-India Hong Xuquan alias Terry — a Chinese national — chief financial officer Harinder Dahiya and consultant Hemant Munjal have been taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The probe 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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