China says investigation into Apple supplier Foxconn’s operations on the mainland is ‘normal law enforcement’

Taiwanese firms on the mainland should ‘assume social responsibilities’ and promote ‘peaceful cross-strait ties’, spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said

Chinese authorities are conducting tax audits and reviewing land use by Foxconn on the mainland, state media reported over the weekend

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Chinese authorities are inspecting Foxconn Technology Group’s facilities in southern Guangdong province and Jiangsu in the east, as well as carrying out on-site investigations into its land use in central Hunan and Hubei provinces. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 3:02pm, 25 Oct 2023Updated: 3:14pm, 25 Oct 2023

China has called its investigation into Foxconn Technology Group a routine police matter, in its first official comments on the inquiry into Apple’s most important contract manufacturing partner.

“The probes into whether companies are abiding by laws are normal law-enforcement activities, and in line with laws and regulations,” said Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, at a briefing on Wednesday.

Chinese state media reported over the weekend that regulators are conducting tax audits and reviewing land use by Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer and assembler of the vast majority of iPhones at factories on the mainland and India.

Zhu, however, hinted at the briefing that the Foxconn inquiry may involve aspects beyond the business realm. “While Taiwan businesses enjoy growth on the mainland, they should also assume corresponding social responsibilities and play a more active role in promoting peaceful development of cross-strait ties,” she said.

A person walks down the stairs inside a building where Foxconn Technology Group’s offices are located in Taipei on October 23, 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

China will “continue to support Taiwan businesses to invest and operate on the mainland”, Zhu added.

China says investigation into Apple supplier Foxconn’s operations on the mainland is ‘normal law enforcement’

Taiwanese firms on the mainland should ‘assume social responsibilities’ and promote ‘peaceful cross-strait ties’, spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said Chinese authorities are conducting tax audits and reviewing land use by Foxconn on the mainland, state media reported over the weekend

Taiwanese firms on the mainland should ‘assume social responsibilities’ and promote ‘peaceful cross-strait ties’, spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said

Chinese authorities are conducting tax audits and reviewing land use by Foxconn on the mainland, state media reported over the weekend