State anti-monopoly advisor fired after endorsing Qualcomm  

详讯：张昕竹收取高通公司高额报酬为其背书被解聘

记者13日从知情人士处获悉，中国社科院研究员张昕竹之所以被国务院反垄断委员会专家咨询组解聘，是因为其以委员会专家咨询组成员的身份，受聘于正在接受国家发改委调查的高通公司，收取高额报酬，为其出具所谓“未垄断”的经济学证据，违反了咨询组工作纪律。[查看全文]

Beijing (ECNS) – A member of the anti-monopoly commission under China's State Council was removed from his position after receiving remuneration from Qualcomm Inc. and providing so-called evidence showing the company didn't hold a monopoly on the Chinese market.

Zhang Xinzhu, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was reportedly fired by the State Council for disciplinary violations on Monday. But Zhang said the real reason was that he defended foreign companies.

An insider said on Wednesday that Zhang worked for Qualcomm while holding a position at the state anti-monopoly commission at the same time. "Zhang violated the commission's work discipline," the insider added.

Some analysts said Zhang's dismissal may indicate China's probe into Qualcomm is drawing to a close.

China's authorities began an anti-monopoly probe into Qualcomm's business last December. The company later filed a research report that Zhang participated in as a second author, saying its pricing in China was fair.

Several carmakers and Microsoft also fell under anti-monopoly investigations in the past month.