China has released five employees of the U.S. due diligence firm Mintz Group, two years after they were detained amid a crackdown by the Chinese government on consultancies working with foreign companies. This release marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of foreign firms operating within China.
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03-30, 2025Their detention in March 2023 occurred during a period of heightened suspicion of foreign espionage in China, which triggered a wave of raids targeting consulting firms such as Bain & Company and Capvision Partners. The increased scrutiny created an environment of uncertainty for foreign businesses operating in the region.
“We are grateful to the Chinese authorities that our former colleagues are now free to rejoin their families,” Mintz Group said in a statement, expressing relief and appreciation for the resolution of the situation.
Their release coincided with the conclusion of a business forum in Beijing attended by dozens of foreign executives, including Apple's Tim Cook and Pfizer's Albert Bourla, as China seeks to revive foreign investment in its flagging economy. Government data released in February revealed a precipitous 99% drop in foreign direct investment over the past three years.
At the forum on Sunday, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng assured business leaders that China was “unwavering” in its commitment to “welcome multinational corporations and share development opportunities with them.” This reassurance aimed to alleviate concerns and encourage renewed investment in the Chinese market.
Mintz Group noted that all five released employees were Chinese nationals. They were detained by Chinese public security officials in March 2023 following a raid on Mintz Group’s Beijing office. Mintz Group stated at the time that it had not received any formal legal notice regarding the raid.
Chinese authorities have not commented on the detentions and subsequent release. Later in 2023, Mintz Group was fined $1.5 million for engaging in “unapproved statistical work.” By that time, the firm had closed all of its offices in mainland China and Hong Kong.
According to Reuters, the firm had been involved in investigating potential forced labor in supply chains linked to China’s Xinjiang region. This involvement may have contributed to the scrutiny and subsequent actions taken against the company.
