Chinese authorities have acknowledged they conducted tax and other inspections on local offices in China of Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn.

This comes after the Chinese media outlet Global Times reported on Sunday that multiple offices of Hon Hai's subsidiaries across China had been subject to tax audits and land use investigations.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian told reporters on Wednesday that it is a normal law enforcement act for mainland authorities to conduct inspections in line with laws and regulations.

She added Taiwanese companies should assume their social responsibilities and play a positive role in promoting the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait.

Zhu also criticized Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te, who plans to run for the presidential election in January next year as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's candidate.

She said Lai has hidden Taiwan's independence agenda under the banner of peace, and Taiwan's independence means war and has nothing to do with peace.

Beijing's move came as Hon Hai's founder, Terry Gou, announced that he will run in the presidential election as an independent candidate. He is gathering the required number of signatures from eligible voters to be qualified.

Some observers say that if Gou runs, opposition votes could be split to the benefit of Lai.

Zhu's remarks indicate the investigations by Chinese authorities may be politically motivated.