Two Dance Better Than One

On 20 September 2012, the European Commission Directorate-General for Competition and China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) signed a memorandum of understanding to increase their co-operation and co-ordination on antitrust matters between the EU and China. Joaquín Almunia said the MOU was "an important step and sign of our commitment to further deepen our already excellent relations with the Chinese antimonopoly enforcement authorities. It will give new impetus to our co-operation with China in the enforcement of our respective competition laws." The MOU provides a framework for co-operation and coordination relating to "legislation, enforcement and technical cooperation regarding cartels, and other restrictive agreements and the abuse of dominant market positions".