Chinese regulator launches Microsoft anti-monopoly probe

Software giant's Windows unit under investigation, according to reports

Microsoft has insisted it is compliant with Chinese laws after a regulator in the country launched an anti-monopoly investigation into the firm's local operations.

According to Reuters, the Chinese State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) is looking into the vendor for allegedly not fully disclosing information about Windows and its Office suite.

Further details of the investigation are unclear but the SAIC did issue a Chinese-language statement on its website.

Investigators are reported to have raided Microsoft offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu earlier this week.

The SAIC said it had obtained documents and emails from Microsoft computers, according to the news agency, but added that it could not complete its investigation as Microsoft had said some of its key personnel were not in the country.

Microsoft was unavailable to comment but in a statement sent to Reuters it said its operations comply with all local laws.

"Our business practices in China are designed to be compliant with Chinese law," it said.