Retrospect and Prospect: Antitrust Enforcement of Abuse of Dominance

In 2020, the State Administration for Market Regulation implemented the antitrust law in both legislation and public enforcement. It has had a significant and positive effect on free market competition and consumer welfare. Specifically concerning abuses of dominance, we note the following characteristics: First, antitrust enforcement agencies paid close attention to market competition in the fields relevant to people’s livelihoods, and in particular cracked down on illegal acts in the field of API. Secondly, the authorities paid close attention to the digital economy. Not only did the authorities start an investigation into Alibaba, they also released the draft Guidelines on the Antitrust in the Sector of Platform Economy.

By Chenying Zhang¹

I. REVIEW OF ANTITRUST ENFORCEMENT IN CHINA IN 2020

In 2020, the global landscape has been reshaping, including an intensified competition in global economy. The effectiveness and implementation of the Anti-monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China have had a significant and positive effect on the order of free market competition and consumer benefits. Specifically, in terms of the legislation and enforcement:

• First, China commenced the amendment to the Anti-monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China. Based on the experience in the operation of law in the past 12 years, China started up the comprehensive amendment to the Anti-monopoly Law, which came into effect on August 1, 2008. On January 2, 2020, the pro