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Cheng, Thomas K. --- "Abuse of administrative monopoly in China" [2015] ELECD 342; in Drexl, Josef; Bagnoli, Vicente (eds), "State-Initiated Restraints of Competition" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015) 135

Book Title: State-Initiated Restraints of Competition

Editor(s): Drexl, Josef; Bagnoli, Vicente

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781784714970

Section: Chapter 6

Section Title: Abuse of administrative monopoly in China

Author(s): Cheng, Thomas K.

Number of pages: 31

Abstract/Description:

After 14 years of gestation, the Anti-Monopoly Law, China’s first comprehensive competition law, was finally passed in August 2007 and came into effect on 1 August 2008. One of the reasons for the delay was the issue of abuse of administrative monopoly, one of the most controversial competition issues in China. Some commentators believe that abuse of administrative monopoly, which refers to administrative measures or conduct that impede internal trade and restrict competition, is the most serious competition problem facing China, and the Anti-Monopoly Law would not be complete without provisions addressing it. Other commentators argue that abuse of administrative monopoly is not a genuine competition law issue and should be dealt with under administrative law or other areas of law. In fact, in the US and the European Union (EU), the equivalent of abuse of administrative monopoly is not dealt with under competition law. In the US, the issue is a constitutional matter regulated under the dormant commerce clause of the US Constitution. In the EU, the issue falls within the rubric of the articles of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) concerning the free movement principles. In fact, some other commentators believe that abuse of administrative monopoly is a systemic issue that requires a political, not a legal, solution. In the end, the first group of commentators won out and the Anti-Monopoly Law incorporates provisions that prohibit the abuse of administrative monopoly.