New merger-control regulations create uncertainty

As 2009 nears its end, China's merger-control regulator shows no sign of slowing down, issuing two important regulations covering the reporting of concentrations. But it appears to have take a step backwards by completely removing a crucial definition from one of the regulations.

The anti-monopoly bureau of the Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) issued the Measures for the Review of Concentrations of Business Operators (经营者集中审查办法) and Measures for the Reporting of Concentrations of Business Operators (经营者集中申报办法) on November 27 2009. Both take effect on January 1 2010.