China has launched an investigation into Taiwan-based iPhone-maker Foxconn, Chinese state media reported on October 22. BBC News says The Global Times, citing anonymous sources, reported officials conducted tax inspections at Foxconn businesses in two Chinese provinces.

Foxconn says it will co-operate with the investigation.

The company is the biggest maker of iPhones for U.S. tech giant Apple and is one of the largest employers in the world.The Global Times also said China's natural resources department made on-site investigations into land use by key Foxconn businesses in the provinces of Henan and Hubei.

Some are suggesting that the investigation is a way of China hitting back at the U.S. over its sanctions by targeting one of its biggest companies, Apple.