The head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission spoke to the press to deny recent reports of the regulator’s bias against foreign firms and to clarify the NDRC’s policy on using lawyers when opening an investigation, saying external lawyers are “welcome” to participate in probes.
NDRC head Xu Kunlin spoke at an antitrust forum to clarify apparent misconceptions in recent media reports, assuring that the regulator that the watchdog does not have specific targets in mind when opening investigations.
”SO long as there is a violation of the law, it will be investigated,” he said.
Xu also took the opportunity to clarify the NDRC’s policy on external lawyers getting involved in open cases, telling the panel that the regulator welcomes such lawyers to participate, especially as many domestic firms and lawyers are not adequately experienced with antitrust law.
The comments contradict last month’s reports by Reuters that the NDRC held a closed-door meeting to pressure foreign firms against hiring external lawyers, sparking outcries from multinational firms claiming the NDRC holds a bias against foreign companies.
Also at the panel, Xu refuted earlier media reports that said the NDRC was probing the nation’s auto industry, though revealed that the regulator is currently investigating the eyeglass sector, adding that the case “has proceeded smoothly.”
Full Content: 4-Traders
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Uruguayan Antitrust Scrutiny Puts Major Meatpacking Deal Between Marfrig and Minerva on Hold
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Alaska Airlines Seeks Dismissal of Consumer Lawsuit Over $1.9 Billion Hawaiian Airlines Buy
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Idaho Attorney General Orders Split of Kootenai Health and Syringa Hospital
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Court Rejects T-Mobile’s Appeal Bid in Antitrust Case Over Sprint Merger
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Google Requests Judge, Not Jury, to Decide on Antitrust Case
May 19, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Ecosystems
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Mapping Antitrust onto Digital Ecosystems
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Ecosystems and Competition Law: A Law and Political Economy Approach
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Ecosystem Theories of Harm: What is Beyond the Buzzword?
May 9, 2024 by
CPI
Open Ecosystems: Benefits, Challenges, and Implications for Antitrust
May 9, 2024 by
CPI