Review №13 of Chinese Antitrust News from the Experts of the BRICS Competition Centre
- State Council Issues Recommendations on Pharmaceutical Pricing
- Rules Introduced for Donations in Marketing Livestreams
- Regulators Hold Talks with Online Train Ticket Resellers
- Interim Measures Set for “Anthropomorphic Interactive AI Services”
- Clarification Meeting Held with Platforms on Pricing Rules
- M&A Review Time Averages 25 Days in 2025
- Compliance Consultation Launched for Internet Platforms in Shanghai
- Roundtable Held with Power and Battery Manufacturers
State Council Issues Recommendations on Pharmaceutical Pricing
On March 30, the General Office of China’s State Council published Guidelines on Improving the Pharmaceutical Pricing Mechanism. The document stipulates that retail drug prices in pharmacies should be independently set by operators and determined through market competition.
It calls for leveraging the competitive potential of online pharmacy platforms and using transparent data to monitor abnormal price movements. Medicines used in public hospitals must be procured via designated provincial platforms without markups.
The guidelines also introduce a pricing evaluation system for new medicines to help pharmaceutical companies set reasonable prices based on clinical value, supply and demand, market competition, and public accessibility.
On antitrust enforcement, the document requires strict punishment for excessive pricing, price manipulation by monopolistic firms, and other illegal practices in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished drugs.
Source: WeChat
Правила регулирования донатов на маркетинговых стримах
Marketing livestreams have become one of the most popular forms of e-commerce in China, with hosts showcasing products in real time and offering instant discounted purchases. However, as the sector has expanded, operators have increasingly engaged in abusive practices, including soliciting donations through inappropriate content or targeting minors for larger payments.
In response, China’s Cyberspace Administration issued Rules on the Regulation of Donations in Marketing Livestreams, containing 11 key provisions:
1) Clearly define donation rules;
2) Block donation privileges for streamers who violate platform rules;
3) Enable donation limit settings;
4) Allow users to adjust reminder frequency for donations
5) Prohibit ranking users by donation amount or displaying donation statistics without consent
6) Ensure donation interfaces do not contain illegal content
7) Protect minors (donations disabled under age 8; ages 8–16 require parental consent)
8) Publish lists of eligible donation recipients
9) Monitor abnormal donation flows
10) Improve complaint-handling mechanisms
11) Strengthen enforcement and publish violators’ information.
Regulators Hold Talks with Online Train Ticket Resellers
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and the National Railway Administration (NRA) summoned seven online ticketing platforms for regulatory interviews.
Platforms were instructed to strictly comply with cybersecurity laws and refrain from using bots to mass-purchase tickets during peak demand periods. They were also warned not to interfere with the stable operation of the official China Railway ticketing platform, 12306.
Authorities said that any threats to 12306’s security or operation would be met with strict enforcement under cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection laws.
Source: WeChat
Interim Measures Set for “Anthropomorphic Interactive AI Services”
The CAC issued Interim Measures for the Regulation of “Anthropomorphic Interactive AI Services,” defined as systems that simulate human conversation and involve sustained emotional interaction, such as AI companions for the elderly or romantic AI partners.
The rules do not apply to AI assistants used for customer service, Q&A, productivity, education, or research unless they include sustained emotional interaction by design.
Authorities warned of emerging risks, including harm to minors’ physical and mental health, data security threats, and ethical concerns.
The document bans the generation of illegal content, including material threatening national security or encouraging self-harm or suicide. It also sets obligations for operators in safety management, data protection, and safeguarding minors and elderly users, and requires algorithm registration and risk assessment systems.
The CAC said effective governance requires coordination between government, industry, and society.
Sources: WeChat 1, WeChat 2, WeChat 3
Clarification Meeting Held with Platforms on Pricing Rules
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), together with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the CAC, held a clarification meeting with internet platform operators on compliance with pricing rules issued in December 2025 and effective April 10.
Authorities highlighted irregular pricing practices by some platforms and demanded immediate rectification and improved price supervision mechanisms.
Regulators stressed that platforms must regulate subsidy practices, curb unfair price competition, respect merchants’ pricing autonomy, and avoid forcing participation in promotional campaigns involving additional costs.
Source: SAMR
M&A Review Time Averages 25 Days in 2025
Economic concentration transactions are seen as a “barometer” of economic development, and efficient regulation is considered key to stimulating market activity.
In 2025, SAMR continued to streamline merger review procedures, improving efficiency for businesses and supporting investment projects.
During the year, SAMR cleared 687 transactions without conditions. The average acceptance time was 16.61 days, while the average review period was 25.39 days. In 86% of cases, decisions were made within 30 days of filing, significantly faster than statutory limits.
Source: WeChat
Compliance Consultation Launched for Internet Platforms in Shanghai
The Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation held a compliance consultation session for internet platforms on antitrust requirements.
The session focused on interpreting recently issued guidelines on platform antitrust compliance. Regulators explained eight key antitrust risk areas and emphasized the need for caution in the use of data, algorithms, and platform rules.
They stressed that antitrust compliance should be integrated into daily platform operations. A similar event was previously held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
Source: WeChat
Roundtable Held with Power and Battery Manufacturers
SAMR, together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the National Energy Administration (NEA), held a roundtable with companies in the power and battery manufacturing sector to discuss competition regulation.
Authorities emphasized the urgency of addressing “involution-style” competition and cracking down on unfair practices. Discussions covered irrational business models, capacity management, predatory pricing, product quality control, and intellectual property violations.
Representatives from industry associations and 16 leading companies participated in the meeting
Source: WeChat
