The largest US consulting firm Bain & Company has revealed that Chinese police had visited and questioned certain employees at its Shanghai office.
According to a company spokeswoman who talked to the BBC, “We are cooperating as appropriate with the Chinese authorities.”
It happens at a time when ties between Washington and Beijing have gotten worse lately.
Five local workers of the US company Mintz were jailed following a search on their Beijing offices last month.
We can confirm that employees at our Shanghai office have been questioned by Chinese officials, Bain said.
“At this time, we have no further comment,” it continued.
Following media reports that authorities had paid Bain’s office in the hub of Chinese finance an unannounced visit two weeks prior, the company issued a statement.
According to the Financial Times, which quoted persons briefed on the situation, officers removed computers and phones.