Temu owner PDD fires dozens of workers after fistfight with China officials

PDD Holdings fired a government relations team in Shanghai following a fistfight between employees and Chinese regulators who were performing checks at the e-commerce company, according to people familiar with the matter.

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The dismissal of dozens of employees comes as PDD tries to stem the fallout from the unusual physical altercation earlier in December, which has only heightened government scrutiny of the company.

A separate government relations team that was not involved in the scuffle remains employed at the firm, said the people.

At least two fistfights occurred at PDD's Shanghai premises involving staff and officials from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), who were investigating reports of fraudulent deliveries on the e-commerce firm's platform, Bloomberg News reported last week.

Police made several arrests in the aftermath, including some company executives, according to people familiar with the matter.