Photo: CFP

The Guizhou government said on Wednesday that it is investigating the arrest of a female entrepreneur due to illegally provoking quarrels while demanding overdue payment from the local government in Liupanshui, a city in Southwest China’s Guizhou Province. 

“We have set up an investigation team led by the procuratorate at the provincial level to comprehensively examine the case. We will handle the case strictly and in accordance with the law, and safeguard judicial justice. The investigation result will be released to the public in a timely manner,” read a post on the official WeChat account of the Guizhou government on Thursday.   

The Guizhou government also vowed to protect the legal rights of entities of all kinds, and clean up long-existing problems in accordance with the law and regulations. The post stressed that it will “hold accountable those who infringe upon the legitimate interests of private entrepreneurs, investigate and punish those who seek improper benefits through illegal means, and strive to create a market-oriented and law-based business environment.” 

A report published on Monday regarding “a female entrepreneur in Guizhou Province arrested for ‘provoking trouble’ while demanding payment for a construction project” sparked heated discussion on Chinese social media platforms. The report claimed that the district government in Liupanshui owed a female entrepreneur surnamed Ma about 200 million yuan, and had paid only 12 million yuan. 

On Tuesday, a statement was released by the Liupanshui government stating that the report was not true. The individual involved was arrested for suspected crimes of fabricating information online, using GPS to obtain other people’s personal information and provoking trouble, the local government claimed. 

The local government also said that Ma was owed 163 million yuan, and nearly 90 percent has been paid.  

The Liupanshui government said in the statement that it will protect the legitimate rights and interests of private enterprises in accordance with the law. “We sincerely welcome media outlets to report objectively and fairly in accordance with the law,” it said.