BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday announced the launch of a national security investigation into imported office equipment with printing and copying functions that feature foreign system software.
Preliminary information indicates that such imported office equipment may affect national security interests in foreign trade, the ministry said in an announcement.
Foreign system software refers to driver software and embedded software developed, tested or maintained by foreign individuals or entities, according to the announcement.
The investigation will examine the importation of the products under probe; the impact of imported products, technologies or services on national security interests; domestic demand in relevant sectors and the extent of reliance on foreign goods, technologies or services; the state of development of relevant domestic industries and the impact of imports on them; and the capacity and level of those industries to meet domestic demand and serve national security interests.
It will also examine the impact of relevant foreign government policies and measures on China's national security interests, as well as any other matters affecting national security interests in foreign trade, the ministry noted.
The investigation may be conducted via written questionnaires, hearings, on-site investigations or investigations conducted by commissioned parties. Based on the findings, the ministry will prepare an investigation report or make a determination on the handling of the case, and publish an announcement.
The investigation is to be completed within 12 months of the date of the announcement initiating it, although the period may be extended under special circumstances.
Interested parties may submit written comments on issues related to the initiation of the investigation and the investigation procedures within 30 days of the announcement's publication, the ministry said. ■
