KUNMING, March 15 – Coca-Cola is being investigated by the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation following reports of illegal surveying activities, Xinhua news agency reported. The administration said in a statement on Friday that the Yunnan branch of the US soft drink giant was suspected of collecting geological information and data using illegal means.
Recent media reports said Yunnan’s provincial administration of surveying, mapping and geoinformation had announced at a meeting that Coca-Cola had used GPS devices to carry out illegal surveying in the southwestern border province. Yunnan administration official Han Qixiang has described such news reports as “inaccurate”.
“We have not released that kind of information and we don’t know why the media has chosen to publish such information,” Han said but did not disclose more details citing national security concerns. Yunnan lies along China’s border with Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.
On Thursday, Coca-Cola denied conducting any illegal surveying activity and said it is cooperating with authorities in charge of investigations. According to the company, some of its bottling plants use surveying technology such as electronic maps to improve logistical efficiency but did not mention the use of GPS as reported in the media.
Chinese law forbids foreign organisations and individuals from conducting surveying activities in its territory without permission. Violators may have their surveying equipment confiscated, face deportation or be fined between 10,000 to 500,000 yuan (US$1,595 to 79,745).
BERNAMA
