merger review

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By Susan Ning, Pulcheria Chung, Kailun Ji and Hazel Yin

To increase clarity and transparency on the merger remedy regime under the Anti-Monopoly Law (“AML“), China’s Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM“) published the draft Rules Regarding Imposition of Restrictive Conditions on Concentrations of Undertakings (the “Draft Rules“) on 27 March 2013 for public comments. 

Under the AML, MOFCOM may attach restrictive conditions to reduce the negative impact a concentration of business operators will bring on competition in the relevant market.  On 5 July 2010, MOFCOM published the Provisional Rules on Divestiture of Assets or Business to Implement Concentrations of Undertakings (the “Divestiture Rules“) which was the first set of rules specifically dealing with divestiture remedies.  The Draft Rules are intended to cover not only divestiture, but also conduct remedies and will replace the Divestiture Rules once adopted.
Continue Reading Path towards A More Streamlined Merger Control System – MOFCOM Publishes Draft Rules on Merger Remedies

By Susan Ning, Liu Jia, Huang Jing and Angie Ng, King & Wood’s Competition Group

BHP Billiton (BHP)(1), a global natural resources company, has recently launched a hostile bid (the bid) to purchase PotashCorp (Potash)(2), a leading potash producer based in Canada.
This proposed acquisition is likely to have an impact in the Chinese potash industry.Continue Reading BHP / Potash – and Chinese Antitrust

 By Susan Ning, Jiang Liyong and Angie Ng, King & Wood’s Competition Practice

On 5 July 2010, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) enacted regulations which set out the rules and procedures to do with divesting assets. These regulations are entitled “Interim Regulations on Implementing the Divestiture of Assets or Businesses in Concentration of Business Operators” (divestiture regulations). A copy of the divestiture regulations are located here.
 Continue Reading Regulations on Divesting Assets – Enacted

 By Susan Ning, Shan Lining and Liu Jia, King & Wood’s Competition Practice

On 13 August 2010, the proposed acquisition of Alcon, Inc (Alcon) by Novartis AG (Novartis) was approved by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), with conditions. MOFCOM’s public announcement in relation to this acquisition is located here. This is the 6th merger that has been approved with conditions, since the enactment of the Anti-Monopoly Law (AML) in 2008.(1)Continue Reading Novartis’ Acquisition of Alcon – Cleared with Conditions

 By Susan Ning, Shan Lining and Angie Ng, King & Wood’s Competition Practice

On 12 August 2010, the PRC Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) hosted a “stocktake” briefing to mark the second anniversary of the Anti-Monopoly Law (AML).(1)  Director-General of the Anti-Monopoly Bureau Shang Ming chaired the briefing. MOFCOM’s transcript of this briefing is located here. The following were the salient points raised during the briefing.

Continue Reading Second Anniversary of China’s Anti-Monopoly Law – MOFCOM’s Stocktake