[co-author: Ken Dai]
Developments Highlights
Legislation
SAMR Issues Industry Standard Norms for Merger Filing
On September 29, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation (“SAMR”) issued the Norms for Merger Filing, marking the first time that merger filing requirements have been formally codified as an industry standard in the market regulation system. The new standard specifies the filing thresholds, required materials, and procedural requirements for merger notifications. It aims to further harmonize filing standards, refine procedural rules, and enhance the quality and efficiency of merger review submissions.
Public Enforcement
SAMR Holds Talks with Lalamove over Antitrust Concerns
On September 23, 2025, SAMR announced that it had summoned Lalamove for a regulatory meeting over antitrust concerns. The authority emphasized that the company must strengthen its internal compliance mechanisms, operate in accordance with the Anti-Monopoly Law (“AML”) , and compete fairly in the market. SAMR also urged Lalamoveto ensure transparency and fairness in its platform rules and algorithm design, protect the interests of drivers and consumers, and contribute to the healthy and sustainable development of the online freight industry.
Zhengzhou AMR Holds Talks with Trip.com over Price Manipulation and Trading Restrictions
On September 17, the Zhengzhou Administration for Market Regulation (“AMR”) held an administrative meeting with Trip.com’s operating entity. The authority found that the platform had imposed unreasonable restrictions on merchants’ transactions and pricing through service agreements, trading rules, and technical measures. Earlier, on September 4, 2025, the regulator had issued a Notice of Order for Rectification requiring the company to correct these practices.
SAMR Launches Further Investigation into Nvidia for Suspected Antitrust Violations
On December 9, 2024, SAMR announced an investigation into Nvidia for suspected violations of the AML and the commitments imposed in SAMR’s conditional approval decision regarding Nvidia’s acquisition of Mellanox Technologies. On September 12, 2025, SAMR decided to proceed with a further investigation into the case.
SAMR Publishes First Batch of 2025 Cases Addressing Abuse of Administrative Power
On September 9, SAMR released the first batch of cases under its 2025 campaign against the abuse of administrative power to eliminate or restrict competition. The cases include: (1) transport departments in Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong found to have engaged in anticompetitive administrative conduct; (2) the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau of Lvliang, Shanxi, restricting competition in local construction projects; (3) the Health Commission of Shangqiu, Henan, imposing unreasonable restrictions in the healthcare sector; (4) the Urban Management Bureau of Linxia, Gansu, interfering with market access; (5) the Development and Reform Bureau of Luocheng County, Guangxi, involved in discriminatory administrative practices; and (6) the Education Bureau of Zhenxing District, Dandong, Liaoning, and the Civil Affairs Bureau of Nancheng County, Jiangxi, restricting fair competition in their respective sectors.
Shandong Blasting Materials Association and Member Companies Fined RMB 11.09 Million for Price-Fixing Cartel
On September 5, SAMR announced an administrative penalty decision against the Shandong Blasting Materials Association and several member companies for organizing and participating in a horizontal monopoly agreement to fix prices. The investigation found that between August and December 2020, the association convened multiple meetings among explosives manufacturers to coordinate and implement uniform pricing. The Shandong AMR imposed a total fine of RMB 11.09 million on the association and the involved companies.
Authorities
SAMR Vice Minister Meng Yang Leads Delegation to Australia and Singapore to Discuss Key Antitrust Enforcement Topics
From September 21 to 26, 2025, SAMR Vice Minister Meng Yang led a delegation to Australia and Singapore at the invitation of the two countries’ competition authorities. The visit aimed to implement cooperation documents signed between SAMR and its counterparts, and to exchange views on recent developments in antitrust legislation and enforcement, enforcement procedures, and merger review practices.
SAMR Releases the Annual Report on Price Supervision, Inspection, and Anti-Unfair Competition Enforcement in China (2024)
Recently, SAMR released the Annual Report on Price Supervision, Inspection, and Anti-Unfair Competition Enforcement in China (2024), providing a comprehensive summary of nationwide enforcement activities in 2024. According to the report, enforcement efforts focused on rectifying irregular corporate fees and illegal practices in the funeral service sector, among other livelihood-related areas. SAMR maintained a high-pressure stance against unfair competition, handling 14,200 cases and imposing fines and confiscations totaling RMB 805 million.
SAMR Hosts Antitrust Compliance Seminar for the Funeral Service Sector
On September 22, SAMR held the ninth session of its 2025 Antitrust Compliance Lecture Series under the theme “Strengthening Antitrust Compliance in the Funeral Service Sector.” The session combined policy interpretation with case analysis to review common monopolistic practices identified in the sector and guide funeral service providers in enhancing compliance awareness and preventing antitrust risks.
SAMR Holds Antitrust Compliance Seminar for Foreign-Invested Enterprises
On September 18, SAMR held the eighth session of its 2025 Antitrust Compliance Lecture Series in Beijing for foreign-invested enterprises, sharing insights on enforcement trends and compliance best practices. The discussion focused on common antitrust risks in China and encouraged companies to strengthen internal compliance systems and compete fairly in the market.
State Counci’s Anti-Monopoly and Anti-Unfair Competition Commission Expert Advisory Group Holds Seminar
On September 10, the State Council’s Anti-Monopoly and Anti-Unfair Competition Commission Expert Advisory Group held a seminar in Beijing. Experts engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as eliminating local protectionism and market fragmentation, and antitrust regulation and enforcement in the digital economy era. The seminar aimed to address key challenges in fair competition governance and provided targeted recommendations for improvement.
Merger Control
SAMR Conditionally Approves Keysight’s Acquisition of Spirent Communications
On September 28, 2025, SAMR conditionally approved Keysight Technologies’ proposed acquisition of Spirent Communications. Although the transaction did not meet the mandatory filing thresholds, it was voluntarily filed under the normal procedure. Following its review, SAMR concluded that the concentration may have the effect of eliminating or restricting competition in the global and China markets for high-speed Ethernet testing products and network security testing products. To address these potential anticompetitive effects, SAMR required Keysight to divest Spirent’s businesses related to high-speed Ethernet and network security testing, and to implement corresponding behavioral commitments.
Court Litigation
SPC Releases 2025 Typical Antitrust Cases
On September 10, 2025, the Supreme People’s Court (“SPC”) released five representative antitrust cases. The cases address key legal issues such as abuse of administrative power to eliminate or restrict competition, horizontal monopolistic conduct involving price-fixing and market allocation, and monopolistic practices organized by industry associations. They span several sectors closely related to people’s livelihoods, including transportation, building materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and chemicals.
