Qualcomm has become the latest foreign company in China to come under investigation for possible anti-competitive practices. The wireless chipmaker said in a statement that China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has started an investigation into Qualcomm relating to the Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law. The NDRC did not disclose the details of the investigation, and Qualcomm said it was not aware of any charges by the NDRC that the company had violated the law. Qualcomm said it was cooperating with the NDRC in the investigation.
According to earlier reports from Chinese state media, the government has decided to focus antitrust investigations on six industries. These are aerospace, medicine, cars, household chemicals, telecommunications and household appliances. The Chinese regulator has been particularly active lately fining consumer companies for violations of pricing rules in the monopoly law.
