Diplomatic missions condemn attacks on Chinese company Nuktech's offices in the Netherlands and Poland.
China has expressed “serious concerns” over European authorities' raid on a Chinese company manufacturing security equipment.
The EU's competition regulator raided the offices of Chinese company Nuktech in the Netherlands and Poland on Tuesday as part of an investigation into allegations of unfair state aid.
In a statement on Thursday, China's mission to the EU regretted the “unannounced inspection” and criticized the Brussels government for not raising concerns directly with the company or Chinese authorities.
“The Chinese side believes that the EU's unannounced inspections disrupt the order of fair competition in the market, clearly endanger the positive atmosphere of trade and economic cooperation between China and the EU, and have a strong impact on the EU's sense of trust and security. “all foreign companies in the EU, including Chinese companies,” the mission said.
“This also highlights the further deterioration of the EU's business environment and sends a very negative signal to all foreign companies operating in the EU. Protectionism does not bring prosperity and it does not protect others. Suppressing them will only weaken their competitiveness.”
The EU should “adhere to its commitment to open markets and the principle of a level playing field, and stop all kinds of excuses to unduly suppress and hinder Chinese companies,” the mission added, “cooperation and exchange in the EU. He expressed his hopes for the same.” in an open, fair and impartial manner. ”
Our mission is deeply concerned and deplores the EU's unannounced inspections of Chinese companies. #China I urge you. #european union Respect our commitment to the principles of market openness and fair competition, and stop using various pretexts to unduly suppress and hinder 🇨🇳. pic.twitter.com/al1889hJuw
— China Mission to the EU (@ChinaEUMission) April 24, 2024
The comments came after the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the European Union (CCCEU) expressed “serious concerns” about the raid on Wednesday.
“The European side has expressed its intention to weaponize foreign subsidy regulations as a means to suppress Chinese companies operating legally in Europe,” the chamber said in a statement.
“The CCCEU expresses its strong dissatisfaction with the European raids on companies established by Chinese companies in the EU, without prior notice or solid evidence.”
Naktech, which makes scanning equipment for airports and border crossings, said it was committed to cooperating with authorities and “protecting its reputation as a fully independent and autonomous economic operator.”
The European Commission said it carried out the raid as a “preliminary investigation” after indications that the unnamed company may have received foreign subsidies that could distort the market.
The raid was the first action taken by the commission since it adopted foreign subsidies regulations last July amid concerns about market distortions caused by foreign subsidies.