Foreign companies feel China targets them in investigations

But state-controlled monopolies are fine.

...time to pullout from China then

Some corporations are so tired of the harassment and soon expect the end of a golden age for foreign business in China. Considering that the NDRC has all but forbid some foreign corporations from bringing in foreign lawyers, due to the NDRC wanting local attorneys that they could intimidate and manipulate. It isn’t hard to see why foeign companies would be worried.

It a coincidence that the NDRC is targeting Qualcomm when China’s three largest telecoms are state owned and plan to invest many billions in LTE expansion across the country next year? Then there is the fact that Chinese organizations have been busy purchasing any local mobile chipmakers, Spreadtrum and RDA Microelectronics, whose technology directly competes with Qualcomm. Chinese authorities are simply pushing foreign companies to cut prices and punishing them with large fines.

Let’s also not forget that the Qualcomm investigation started due to complaints from “unspecified Chinese industry associations and companies.” So, it isn’t that hard to see why so many foreign corporations are a bit suspicious at this so-called anti-trust investigation all the while China’s government continues doing whatever they can to gain an technology advantage against foreign competitors.

This is the new way despotic governments from China to Russia to Turkey behave these days. They used to send goons to break your legs or shake you down, but now they just accuse you up breaking complicated tax or competition laws.