It's good to talk, says Mofcom

A law is nothing without enforcement, and the PRC Anti-monopoly Law (中华人民共和国反垄断法) is no exception. As it came into force in August 2008, three dedicated anti-monopoly enforcement agencies also began their work. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is responsible for conducting anti-monopoly law enforcement reviews of abuse of market dominance as it relates to pricing and monopoly agreements; the Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) is responsible for conducting anti-monopoly law enforcement reviews of business operator concentrations; and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) is responsible for anti-monopoly law enforcement reviews of abuse of market position and prohibition of monopoly agreements.

According to a government spokesperson, there is no overlap in their spheres of responsibility, but in the actual course of law enforcement there may be issues common to more than one of them or that require team-work. “The three law enforcement authorities co-operate closely under the organisation, co-ordination and guidance of the Anti-monopoly Commission of the State Council and, to the present, anti-monopoly law enforcement has proceeded smoothly,” the spokesperson says.