Global Antitrust Cooperation: EU’s Top Regulator Signs MoU With China

Introduction

On 20 September 2012, European Commission officials concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chinese officials in respect of antitrust law.  Signed by the Directorate General for Competition and two of China's antitrust law enforcement authorities, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC), the MoU strengthens the relationship between the two jurisdictions' respective antitrust authorities.

The MoU reflects a growing willingness on the part of the Chinese antitrust authorities to conclude MoUs with their antitrust counterparts in various jurisdictions.  Other notable recent examples include the MoU signed with the UK Office of Fair Trading on 17 April 2012 and the MoU concluded with the US Department of Justice and US Federal Trade Commission on 27 July 2011.