Review №10 of Chinese Antitrust News from the Experts of the BRICS Competition Centre
- SAMR Meeting on Antitrust Work for 2026
- Meetings on Regulation of Online Transactions, Pricing, and Combating Unfair Competition
- Expanded System for Delegated Review of M&A Cases
- Beijing Requires 12 Platforms to Eliminate “Involution-style” Competition
- Progress in the Antitrust Review of the Food Delivery Industry
- Data and Algorithms in the Regulations on Trade Secret Protection
- Draft Amendments to the Methods for Implementing Fair Competition Review Provisions
- Seminar on Fair Competition Issues
- Platform Briefing on Food Safety
- SAMR Meetings with USCBC, Cohen Group, and Amway
- 1st Lecture on Antitrust Compliance
- 2nd Lecture on Overseas Antitrust ComplianceSAMR Meeting on Antitrust Work for 2026
SAMR Meeting on Antitrust Work for 2026
On March 19, SAMR held a meeting on antitrust work, summarizing the results of the past year and outlining key tasks for the current year.
In 2025, China’s market regulators handled 22 cases involving anti-competitive practices and issued decisions on 706 merger control filings.
The meeting emphasized that 2026 is the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan and requires efficient and high-quality antitrust enforcement. The authority plans to strengthen support for fair competition, eliminate local protectionism, curb market segmentation, comprehensively combat “involution-style” competition, and enhance international exchanges and cooperation.
Source: SAMR
Meetings on Regulation of Online Transactions, Pricing, and Combating Unfair Competition
On March 19–20, a national meeting on the supervision of online transactions was held. The meeting reviewed achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period and set key priorities for 2026.
It was noted that in 2025 regulators made positive progress in addressing key issues in the platform economy, improving the legal framework, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of market participants, and stimulating business activity.
On March 24, a similar meeting was held on price supervision and combating unfair competition. It was highlighted that in 2025 regulatory authorities effectively upheld a fair and competitive market order. Significant results were achieved in inspections across sectors such as water, electricity, and gas supply, medical insurance funds, pharmaceuticals, elderly care products, and funeral services: 33,800 cases were investigated and more than RMB 1 billion in незаконные charges were refunded. In addition, 12,700 cases of unfair competition and 3,921 cases related to financial misconduct were handled.
In 2026, efforts in price regulation and competition protection will focus on building a strong domestic market, strengthening the drivers of high-quality development, and continuously improving public welfare.
Expanded System for Delegated Review of M&A Cases
On August 1, 2025, China officially launched a system for delegating the review of merger control filings, following a three-year pilot phase. Market regulation authorities in five administrative regions—Guangdong and Shaanxi provinces, and the centrally administered cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing—were authorized to review certain cases under a simplified procedure. This reduced the burden on the central authority and improved review efficiency.
From August 1, 2026, these authorities will also be allowed to review non-simplified cases if one of the following conditions is met:
1) If the parties operate in the same market: their combined market share is between 15% and 25%;
2) If the parties operate at different levels of the supply chain: their respective market shares are between 25% and 35%;
3) If the parties are neither in the same market nor at different supply chain levels: each party’s market share in its respective market is between 25% and 35%.
In addition, the list of authorities authorized to review simplified cases has been expanded to include Sichuan, Liaoning, and Zhejiang provinces.
Beijing Requires 12 Platforms to Eliminate “Involution-style” Competition
The Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, together with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, held a meeting with representatives of 12 platforms (including Ctrip, Qunar, Gaode, JD.com, Taobao Flash Sale, Meituan, Fliggy, Tongcheng Travel, Tujia, Xiaozhu, Douyin, and Kuaishou). The meeting discussed the first batch of issues identified during a comprehensive campaign against “involution-style” competition and possible remedies.
Since October 2025, Beijing has been conducting a campaign targeting such practices, focusing on the accommodation and catering industries. The first batch of violations included:
1) Infringement on sellers’ right to independent business operations (e.g., platforms enrolling sellers in promotions without consent, imposing pricing requirements);
2) Unreasonable rules (e.g., unjustified penalties, traffic restrictions, and other sanctions increasing operational burdens);
3) False advertising (misleading consumers to induce purchases);
4) Ineffective compliance systems (unclear responsibilities and lack of practical enforcement mechanisms).
Regulators issued warning letters requiring rectification within a specified timeframe and indicated that investigations would be launched into suspected violations.
A multi-stakeholder consultation mechanism is also planned to enhance coordination between platforms and relevant parties.
Progress in the Antitrust Review of the Food Delivery Industry
On January 9, China launched an antitrust review of food delivery platforms, described as a “market competition probe and assessment.” The focus is on unfair practices such as price wars, traffic control, and excessive subsidies.
At a press conference, SAMR spokesperson Wang Qiuping stated that the work is proceeding as planned. Authorities have conducted field inspections, meetings with merchants, industry associations, and platform operators, as well as interviews with couriers and consumers.
Source: WeChat
Data and Algorithms in the Regulations on Trade Secret Protection
In early 2026, SAMR issued Regulations on the Protection of Trade Secrets, which will enter into force on June 1. At a Q1 press conference, spokesperson Wang Qiuping noted that the document reflects new requirements for trade secret protection in the digital era. As the forms of trade secrets evolve, data and algorithms are becoming key assets. The regulations classify “data” and “algorithms” as technical information protected as trade secrets. They also outline confidentiality measures for scenarios such as remote work and cross-border cooperation, and define circumstances under which “improper means” of misappropriation may give rise to legal claims.
Source: WeChat
Draft Amendments to the Methods for Implementing Fair Competition Review Provisions
SAMR has released draft amendments to the Methods for Implementing Fair Competition Review for public consultation, with comments accepted until April 24.
The current version came into force on April 20, 2025. According to official explanations, practical issues have emerged, including weak accountability, ineffective review mechanisms, and insufficient access to materials.
The draft proposes revisions to 12 articles and introduces 2 new ones. For example, it suggests requiring market regulators to appoint dedicated staff responsible for fair competition review. It may also strengthen liability for administrative bodies that adopt regulations without proper review or without considering expert opinions.
Seminar on Fair Competition Issues
On March 26, SAMR held its first business seminar of the year on fair competition, titled “Regulating Corporate Competitive Practices and Building a Healthy Competitive Ecosystem for Global Expansion.” Participants included representatives from companies such as China Minmetals, China State Construction Engineering, CATL, BYD, Chery, Didi, and Meituan.
The regulator emphasized its commitment to strengthening antitrust enforcement, combating “involution-style” competition, deepening institutional openness, and supporting companies in expanding into international markets and achieving high-quality development.
Source: SAMR
Platform Briefing on Food Safety
SAMR provided guidance to leading food delivery platforms on food safety issues.
It was noted that online food sales play a vital role in meeting growing consumer demand for higher living standards. Platforms are required to take responsibility for the safety of food sold by vendors, improve internal systems and quality control measures, ensure effective complaint channels, and respond promptly to consumer concerns.
They are also expected to cooperate with regulators to establish a multi-level governance model combining government oversight, platform self-regulation, and public supervision.
Source: SAMR
SAMR Meetings with USCBC, Cohen Group, and Amway
On March 23, SAMR head Luo Wen met with Sean Stein, President of the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), and member company representatives. They exchanged views on antitrust policy, special equipment regulation, and food safety.
Stein stated that USCBC will continue to support the long-term development of U.S. companies in China and play a constructive role in bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
On the same day, SAMR Deputy Head Shu Wei met with Robert Tyrer (Cohen Group) and Michael Nelson (Amway). Discussions focused on promoting a unified national market and fair competition. Shu Wei emphasized efforts to create a favorable business environment for companies from all countries, including U.S.-funded enterprises.
1st Lecture on Antitrust Compliance
SAMR’s first antitrust compliance lecture of 2026 focused on “safe harbors” under the revised rules on anti-competitive agreements. The regulator explained the concept in detail and provided examples from Chinese and international practice. It was noted that safe harbors help reduce compliance costs and encourage innovation. The lecture was held in a hybrid format and attended by more than 100 companies.
Source: SAMR
2nd Lecture on Overseas Antitrust Compliance
On March 19, SAMR held its second 2026 lecture on overseas antitrust compliance in Harbin. The aim was to support Chinese companies investing abroad, enhance competitiveness, and ensure compliance in global markets.
Heilongjiang Province, a key region for cooperation with Russia and Northeast Asia, shows strong demand for international projects and high cross-border investment activity. More than 100 major enterprises attended, noting that the lecture improved their ability to comply with antitrust laws and manage legal risks abroad.
The first lecture took place on February 5 in Chongqing.
Source: WeChat
