By Susan Ning, Zheng Ziqing and Angie Ng

On 3 June 2011, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) published, for public comments, draft rules which explain how MOFCOM will evaluate concentrations pursuant to the merger control regime.  These rules are entitled "Provisional Rules on the Assessment of the Effects of Concentrations on Competition" (Draft Rules).  The public has been invited to submit comments on these Draft Rules by 13 June 2011.

In fact, Article 27 of the Anti-Monopoly Law (AML) outlines a list of factors that MOFCOM would take into account, when assessing concentrations.  These are: (a) the market shares of the business operators involved in the concentration and their control over the market; (b) the degree of market concentration; (c) the impact of the concentration of business operators on market entry and technological advancement; (d) the impact of the concentration on consumers and other relevant business operators; (e) the impact of the concentration of business operators on the development of the national economy; and (f) any other factors deemed by MOFCOM to be relevant for consideration.  The Draft Rules expand on these factors.  There are altogether 14 provisions in the Draft Rules.  The following table provides an illustration of how the Draft Rules "expand" on the factors set out in Article 27 of the AML.
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