Title: Chinese Smartphone Manufacturers Accused of Illegally Transferring Funds to Indian News Portal Under Investigation
Indian police have lodged serious accusations against popular Chinese smartphone manufacturers, Xiaomi Corp and Vivo Mobile. The companies are alleged to have illegally transferred funds to an Indian news portal currently being investigated for spreading Chinese propaganda. The police complaint, filed on August 17, claims that Xiaomi and Vivo established numerous shell companies solely to infuse foreign funds into India.
According to the complaint, these illicit funds were utilized to disseminate biased news content criticizing Indian policies and projects, while simultaneously defending Chinese policies and programs. However, both accused companies have vigorously denied these allegations. A spokesperson for Xiaomi India dismissed the claims as baseless, asserting that the company adheres strictly to all applicable laws during its business operations.
The news portal in question, NewsClick, has categorically refuted the accusations, describing them as untenable and bogus. The portal maintains that it does not publish content at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority. Nevertheless, media rights and opposition groups in India contend that the investigation into NewsClick and the accompanying allegations are indicative of a government-led crackdown on the freedom of the press—a charge dismissed by the authorities.
The police complaint became public knowledge after officers conducted raids on NewsClick’s office and the homes of its journalists. These raids led to the arrest of the portal’s founder-editor and a senior administrative official. NewsClick has expressed confidence in the Indian judicial system, believing that its stance will ultimately be vindicated.
While tensions persist on the India-China border following a military skirmish in 2020, resulting in casualties on both sides, China has consistently dismissed allegations of interference in Indian affairs. The Chinese government has called for a fair and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies operating in India.
Curiously, the police complaint fails to provide detailed information on how the allegations against Xiaomi and Vivo were uncovered, and no tangible evidence of their involvement has been presented. As a result, the next steps in the police investigation remain unknown.
As this complex case unfolds, The Bib Theorists will continue to monitor the situation closely, providing unbiased coverage to keep our readers informed.
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