"If the media and the public find malpractice in the acquisition, they are welcome to provide evidence to the company and its supervisor. But we also reserve the right to call anyone to account who libeled or defamed us and to demand economic compensation."

China Resources Holdings, a major State-owned conglomerate, said in a statement on Wednesday after a reporter with a newspaper affiliated to Xinhua News Agency leveled accusations of massive corruption at the company's chairman in an acquisition deal. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China said it has received the report and is handling the case, according to the People's Daily.