Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Meets China's SAIC to Discuss Antitrust Probe

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who visited China, has said the company will cooperate with Chinese authorities in the probe into the company for alleged antitrust.

Nadella met China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) chief Zhang Mao and promised the company's full cooperation in the ongoing investigation, the regulator said in a statement on its website.

Nadella added that Microsoft will provide materials as required by the regulator and communicate on the issues involved in a timely manner. Microsoft is confident that the probe in China will be fair and transparent, he told Zhang.

Nadella also praised the policies adopted by the Chinese government in economic development, as well as its measures to help grow foreign enterprises along with local firms, the SAIC said.

Meanwhile, Zhang promised a fair and transparent investigation into the matter, and welcomed suggestions from Microsoft.

Microsoft is "serious about complying with China's laws and committed to addressing SAIC's questions and concerns," Reuters quoted the company as saying.

The SAIC had raided Microsoft offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu at the end of July for alleged breach of antitrust laws, and later extended the probe into the company's offices in Liaoning, Fujian and Hubei.

The state agency also warned Microsoft against interfering with the ongoing anti-trust probe.

Zhang Mao, the head of the SAIC, told reporters that the company has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the investigation, but is yet to provide full information regarding software, including Windows, Office, Media Player and Internet Explorer.

In May, China's central government offices were banned from using Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 8, after the US Justice Department charged five Chinese military members with hacking the systems of US companies to allegedly steal trade secrets.

Microsoft is not the only foreign technology company that is facing an antitrust probe. China's antitrust regulator earlier said that US chipmaker Qualcomm enjoys a monopoly in the world's second largest economy.

The regulator added that it is also probing Qualcomm's Chinese subsidiary for allegedly overcharging and abusing its market position in wireless communication standards.

Qualcomm President Derek Aberle earlier met China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in order to end the antitrust scrutiny.