(Yicai Global) Jan. 25 -- Chinese car and battery maker BYD said it punished 94 employees for bribery and serious violations last year, and held 28 suppliers accountable for breach of contract.

BYD reported 22 people involved in seven cases to the police, the Shenzhen-based company said in a statement released on WeChat yesterday.

With the Chinese New Year holiday approaching, some partners may send gifts to BYD’s workers or invite them to dinners as part of the festivities, but staff should decline gifts from outside of the company and report such offers to BYD’s anti-corruption office within three working days, it said.

BYD also reminded its partners not to bribe its employees, or it may blacklist them. Those involved in bribery will also face criminal penalties, it added.

The automaker asked partners to report if BYD employees make any requests for money, entertainments or anything else improper. BYD said it would offer whistleblowers a reward ranging from CNY10 million to CNY50 million (USD1.58 million to USD7.9 million).

BYD reported seven cases of corruption in the first quarter of last year, in which 12 employees including engineers and production team leaders had taken bribes.

Editor: Tom Litting