China: Antitrust sweep targets 80 industries

Chinese competition officials announced a plan Monday to review 80 industries in the nation in search of possible anticompetitive behavior, according to reports.

China’s Ministry of Commerce is slated to review the pharmaceuticals, auto and alcoholic beverages industries, among dozens of others. MOFCOM reportedly sent notices to several industry agencies last month requesting their help in collecting information in part of the regulator’s survey, according to a notice from the nation’s auto dealers’ association.

One MOFCOM official said that the regulator’s review does not target industries specifically, but instead is looking to crackdown on anticompetitive practices in all industries.

MOFCOM’s efforts follow in the footsteps of the nation’s National Development and Reform Commission, which, in recent months, penalized members of the powdered milk and eye glasses industries, among other sectors, after the NDRC found evidence of price manipulation.

Full content: Reuters

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