In May 2021, Wu Zhenguo, director general of the SAMR, was interviewed by the American digital magazine Antitrust Source. The SAMR also concentrated AML enforcement in the sectors particularly relevant to people's livelihoods: pharmaceuticals, public utilities, automobiles and building materials. For example, the Shanghai AMR concluded two high-profile cases in the digital economy sector by prosecuting online platforms offering food delivery services in the city. The provincial branches of the SAMR have also accelerated AML enforcement on the local level.

Earlier in 2021, the SAMR penalized Alibaba for implementing the anti-competitive 'choose one from two' practice and the company was fined 18 billion yuan. Second, China's anti-monopoly regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), has stepped up its enforcement activities. Based on the drafts circulated for public comment, the AML amendments will address the following three issues: (1) to incorporate new rules that have been previously included in the administrative guidelines such as those regulating the platform economy (2) to improve the AML procedures including special prohibitions for facilitating the conclusion of anti-competitive agreements (3) to increase the deterrence effect of the AML by increasing the fines and other penalties for infringement of its provisions. The present note highlights the state of affairs and future directions of China's anti-monopoly regulation.Р”Р‡irst, China's Anti-Monopoly Law (AML) promulgated in 2007 and enforced since 2008 is currently undergoing revisions, which were included in the legislative work plan of the National People's Congress for 2021. He stressed the importance of enhancing the anti-monopoly enforcement and improving the anti-monopoly supervision for the benefit of the overall economic development and better protection of the rights and interests of consumers. On August 30, 2021, anti-monopoly regulation was among the core issues discussed at the 21st meeting of China's Central Committee for Comprehensively Deepening Reform, presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN. Editor's note: Alexandr Svetlicinii is an associate professor of law at the University of Macau, where he also serves as coordinator for the master of laws program in international business law in English.

Anti monopoly