China says EU's probe into e-commerce giant JD.com 'wrong'

China has urged the European Union to swiftly correct its wrong practices in a foreign subsidy probe into e-commerce giant JD.com, reiterating its firm opposition to the bloc's abuse of unilateral tools to suppress Chinese companies, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

Brussels opened an in-depth investigation in May under its Foreign Subsidies Regulation, into JD.com's proposed acquisition of German consumer electronics retailer Ceconomy AG.

"The EU has again made unreasonable demands on banking institutions in China for extensive information held in the country that is unrelated to the investigation," said He Yadong, spokesman for the ministry, at a news conference.

China's Ministry of Justice, together with the Ministry of Commerce and other departments, determined on Wednesday that the EU's cross-border measures in the case constituted improper extraterritorial jurisdiction. The order barred any organization or individual from implementing or assisting in the implementation of the measures.

The decision was made under China's regulations on countering foreign states' unlawful extraterritorial jurisdiction. It was the second such order, after China issued its first in May over Brussels' FSR probe into Nuctech, a Chinese security inspection equipment maker.

Beijing and Brussels have established a trade and investment consultation mechanism and agreed to manage differences through dialogue, He said, urging the EU to meet China halfway and strengthen government-to-government communication.

China will closely follow Brussels' actions and take necessary measures to safeguard national security and the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, he added.