China widens antitrust rules

互联网反垄断号角响起

The State Administration for Market Regulation recently unveiled proposals that include guidelines on how anti-monopoly measures should be applied¹ to internet companies.

国家市场监管总局近日发布一份反垄断指南，其中包含了针对互联网企业的反垄断措施。

The authority is seeking reviews and feedback on the proposals from the public through Nov 30.

这份指南将向社会公开征求意见直至11月30日。

Dong Yizhi, a lawyer at Shanghai Joint Win Law Firm, said the draft rules reiterate² that internet platform companies, including e-commerce marketplaces, must not abuse their dominant³ position to force merchants to "choose one platform over others" and block fair competition.

上海正策律师事务所律师董毅智认为，指南强调，包括电子商城在内的互联网平台不能滥用市场支配地位来迫使交易相对人在竞争性平台间进行“二选一”，阻碍公平竞争。

The antitrust regulations are aimed at promoting fair and free competition in the market and promoting innovation, he said. The regulations target unfair pricing, below-cost and tie-in sales, restricted transactions and other unreasonable⁴ trading conditions. It would also consider whether a transaction treats different customers differently based on big data, payment ability, consumption preferences and usage habits, Dong said.

董毅智说，这份反垄断指南旨在促进市场主体公平自由竞争，鼓励创新，剑指不公平价格、低于成本销售、搭售、限定交易、附加不合理交易条件等行为，以及基于大数据、支付能力、消费喜好和用户习惯而对不同用户采取差别交易待遇的行为。