On January 5, the Ministry of Commerce (the “Ministry”) held its regular press conference, where it reported on the results of the anti-monopoly reviews it conducted in 2016.

   In 2016 the Ministry received 378 complaints, docketed 360 cases and concluded 395 cases, representing year-on-year annual increases of 7.4%, 6.5% and 19%, respectively. All of these numbers represented all-time highs since the implementation of the Anti-Monopoly Law. The manufacturing industry accounted for the largest proportion with 53% of all concluded cases, with rapid increases in semiconductors, communications and high-end manufacturing. In terms of types of monopolies, horizontal mergers and acquisitions accounted for the largest proportion with 40% of all concluded cases. In 2016, 324 cases were concluded during the 30-day preliminary review period, accounting for 82% of all cases and representing an increase of 8% over 2015. Complaints applying the summary procedure accounted for 76% of all complaints; and about 98.6% of the cases docketed in accordance with the summary procedure were concluded during the preliminary review period.

Via www.mofcom.gov.cn