Semiconductor manufacturer Qualcomm officially launched its next-generation system-on-chip, the Snapdragon 820. (Photo : Reuters)
After the confirmation of a $975-million fine against U.S. chipmaking behemoth Qualcomm on Tuesday, the head of Beijing's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Xu Kunlin, has shared some details with the public through a media interview.
In contrast to any outrage that emerged after the ruling was handed down this week, the commission director presented an imbalanced picture that explained the actual relationship between the technology corporation and the governmental body.
Of particular note in Tuesday's interview was Xu's recollection of a raid that occurred during the 14-month antimonopoly investigation on Qualcomm. He sounded astounded when he asked the reporter how the NDRC can be seen as an intimidatory force when they "don't have uniforms" "special vehicles for enforcing the law."
Xu then disclosed that, during the raid, "our staff came in a car but didn't have that one to pick them up on the return trip, so they had to take a taxi."
According to the Wall Street Journal's analysis, the Chinese government still fears falling out of favor with prominent companies like Qualcomm, even though U.S. technology brands are currently dismayed by the new regulations of President Xi Jinping's cybersecurity team.
The WSJ explained that "even as it [China] puts pressure on foreign businesses, [it] is loath to scare them off. China still looks to foreign investment to create jobs and bring management skills and know-how to its still-maturing market."
The Journal's writer also pointed out that Chinese companies that are looking to be profitable cannot easily find substitutes for Qualcomm's chips.
