SAMR Optimizes Antitrust Enforcement To Mitigate Pandemic

The World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11，¹ and the total confirmed infection cases worldwide had exceeded 2.39 million by April 21². Chinese and foreign governments introduced a slew of draconian restrictions as well as supportive measures to address the public health and economic crisis. Antitrust/competition authorities in many jurisdictions are also fine-tuning their enforcement mechanisms to respond to the new and challenging circumstances. As part of Chinese government's efforts to facilitate the resumption of work and production following a nationwide shutdown, Chinese antitrust regulator, the State Administration of Market Regulation ("SAMR") issued the Notice on Antitrust Enforcement to Support the Pandemic Prevention and Control and the Resumption of Work and Production (the "Notice")³ on April 5, followed by its official interpretations on the Notice on April 17⁴.