Four Microsoft offices "raided" by Chinese authorities

South China Morning Post, one of the many government-controlled Chinese news outlets, reports of “raids” by Chinese officials from the State Administration for Industry & Commerce, on four Microsoft locations, as part of what is described as an “official investigation”, for which no further details were provided, except for a hint over alleged antitrust-related behaviors.

The agency’s responsibilities include antitrust, consumer protection, foreign oversight, corporate licensing and trademark.

Chinese media outlets have shown no sign of relenting the constant bashing of Microsoft.

Over the past months, government-controlled news channels have targeted the software giant, in connection with Windows XP end of life support, the cost of Windows 8 licenses, and allegations that Windows 8 stole government data and sent it back to the US.

A spokesperson on behalf of Microsoft, commented that the corporation "will address any concerns the government may have".

Microsoft has not been the only one to be targeted by Chinese state-run media. Google, Facebook and Apple have been under their fair share of criticism over national security issues brought up after NSA contractor Edward Snowden released large amounts of classified NSA surveillance protocols to the public.

The pressure from Beijing couldn’t come at a worst time for Microsoft, as the company gets ready to take on a new direction and focus, transitioning to more cloud-based technology. Such direction may also pose more questions, on whether China will be willing to adopt future cloud-based software from Microsoft, given the government’s stance on allowing foreign corporations to establish constant streams of communication with overseas data centers.

By the same token, China’s options on an alternative IT infrastructure are limited, in a world where the US is home to the makers of virtually all mainstream operating systems worldwide.