The State Forestry Administration says it will soon announce the findings of a probe into accusations that debt-laden Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) engaged in illegal logging in Yunnan province .
Deputy administration chief Lei Jiafu said the results of the government investigation into environmental group Greenpeace's accusations against APP - the largest paper manufacturer in Asia outside Japan - would be disclosed in a month or two.
Mr Lei said that if the claims of illegal logging were true, the government would hand down severe punishments to those responsible.
In November, Greenpeace accused APP of logging original forest and turning the area into woods of cultivated simao pine, reaping huge profits in the process.
The allegations were denied by APP.
When asked why the investigation had taken so long, Mr Lei said it took time to clarify some of the details.