Mainland home appliances giant Haier Group has settled a defamation lawsuit against an analyst for allegations in a report critical of the company.
The case, along with earlier lawsuits, has fuelled concerns that a growing number of Chinese companies were resorting to costly libel suits to stifle criticism.
Chen Yicong, a securities firm employee, authored a report questioning the Haier Group's achievements and prospects, challenging it to improve transparency.
Haier, with factories in more than a dozen countries and properties in New York, has been hailed as the vanguard among mainland conglomerates on international pushes.
Mr Chen's report was initially posted on mainland financial Web site eNet.com.cn on March 25 and later on other Web sites.
Haier filed a libel suit with the Laoshan People's Court in Qingdao on July 5, after the Financial Times of Britain quoted Mr Chen's comments on June 25.
Mr Chen's report had 'seriously defamed the plaintiff [Haier Group] through a multitude of fabrications and fictions', Haier alleged.
