Some senior executives of multinational pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (China) Investment Co Ltd (GSK) have been placed under criminal investigation for suspected bribery and tax-related violations, Chinese police said Thursday.

Police have questioned some of the suspects, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Public Security.

The company is suspected of offering bribes to government officials, medical associations, hospitals and doctors in its operations in China, the statement said.

It is also suspected of being involved in some tax-related crimes, according to the ministry.

The statement said police have obtained evidence regarding the suspected offenses.