China vows crackdown on malicious low-price competition, shift to quality focus
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced on September 20 a comprehensive campaign during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) to curb malicious low-price competition and shift market focus from price wars to quality. Measures include revising the Price Law, establishing a "1+1+N" legal framework against predatory pricing, conducting cost investigations on offending firms, and enforcing the revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law. By end of August, 29,000 cases of low-quality, low-price violations had been handled.
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China's Market Regulator Vows to Curb Illegal Acts Harming Market Order and Fair Competition
On September 23, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) held the third session of its price supervision and competition capability improvement event in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The event reviewed and summarized local regulatory enforcement experiences, and showcased cases involving price supervision, anti-unfair competition, and combating pyramid schemes while regulating direct sales. The SAMR emphasized three key focuses: first, 'protecting competition and promoting fair competition' by legally curbing illegal acts that damage market order and hinder healthy economic development, fostering orderly competition among enterprises, and stimulating social innovation and vitality through良性 competition (healthy competition). Second, 'establishing market rules and promoting order and standardization' by intensifying anti-unfair competition enforcement, establishing a long-term mechanism for enterprise fee supervision, improving price regulation efficiency, and strictly cracking down on pyramid schemes while regulating direct sales. Third, 'safeguarding people's livelihoods and benefiting enterprises and the public' by firmly adopting a correct performance outlook, increasing efforts to combat low-price disorderly competition, scams targeting the elderly, and violations of consumer rights.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator Establishes Fair Competition Review System, Targets 'Involution'
On September 20, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced at a State Council press conference that it has established a fair competition review system. SAMR spokesperson and Deputy Director Shu Wei stated that to comprehensively address 'involution-style' competition, the agency launched a special campaign against shoddy and low-price goods, handling 29,000 cases by the end of August. SAMR Planning and Finance Director Wang Guowei said the review system aims to make competition policy the basic rule underlying all economic policies, including industrial, investment, and fiscal policies. He added that anti-monopoly enforcement will focus on sectors like raw materials, pharmaceuticals, public utilities, and platform economies, with cases to be investigated and published promptly. The regulator also plans to improve merger review efficiency to facilitate lawful investment and acquisitions. To shift competition from price to quality, SAMR will strengthen price enforcement, revise rules against predatory pricing, and implement price conduct rules for internet platforms. It will also enhance quality supervision, increase random inspections of low-priced and high-risk products, and intensify anti-unfair competition enforcement targeting false advertising and commercial defamation.
Read sourceChina to Shift Market Competition from Price Wars to Quality Focus in 15th Five-Year Plan
At a press conference on the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) spokesperson and Vice Minister Shu Wei announced a campaign to shift market competition from price-based to quality-based. By August 2024, authorities had handled 29,000 cases of low-quality, low-price violations. The plan focuses on three areas: strengthening price enforcement, including revising the Price Law and regulations against predatory pricing, and introducing rules for internet platforms; strengthening quality supervision through tighter production licensing, dynamic adjustments to compulsory certification, and enhanced monitoring of e-commerce platforms; and strengthening anti-unfair competition enforcement under the revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law, targeting false advertising, commercial defamation, and bribery. The initiative aims to establish a '1+1+N' legal system against predatory pricing and build a unified national product quality traceability system.
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China to Accelerate Market Regulation Reforms in 15th Five-Year Plan Period
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced plans to accelerate the improvement of a comprehensive market supervision system during the '15th Five-Year Plan' period (2026-2030), according to a press conference on March 20. Deputy Director Shu Wei stated that the agency will use price enforcement, quality supervision, and standards to combat 'involution-style' competition, urging businesses to focus on quality and efficiency rather than low-price internal friction. By August 2025, 29,000 cases of low-quality, low-price violations had been investigated. The reforms include optimizing business registration, deepening registered capital subscription reform, and easing market exit for long-dormant firms. SAMR will strengthen fair competition review, enhance anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition enforcement, and improve monopoly risk monitoring. In safety regulation, the agency plans to expand 'Internet + AI supervision' for food safety, enhance drug safety responsibilities, and support pharmaceutical innovation. It also aims to build at least 30 national quality inspection centers and 300 public inspection service platforms to support industrial modernization.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator Vows Strict Action Against Malicious Low-Price Competition
On September 20, 2026, the State Council Information Office held a press conference where Shu Wei, spokesperson and Deputy Director of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), announced a crackdown on malicious low-price competition. He stated that a special campaign against substandard and low-price products has led to 29,000 cases investigated nationwide by the end of August. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, SAMR will focus on three areas: strengthening price enforcement by revising the Price Law and curbing low-price dumping; enhancing quality supervision through stricter product certification and spot checks on e-commerce platforms; and intensifying anti-unfair competition efforts under the newly revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law, targeting false advertising, commercial defamation, and trade secret violations. Shu Wei emphasized that enterprises leading malicious low-price competition will face cost investigations and strict legal penalties. The goal is to shift market competition from price wars to quality-based competition, establishing 'premium quality commands premium prices' as market consensus.
Read sourceChina Market Regulator to Investigate Costs of Firms Leading Malicious Low-Price Competition
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced on September 20 that it will intensify efforts to curb malicious low-price competition and guide market competition towards quality. SAMR spokesperson Shu Wei outlined three key areas for the '15th Five-Year Plan' period. First, strengthening price enforcement: accelerating the revision of the Price Law and rules against dumping, and conducting cost investigations and price checks on companies leading malicious low-price competition. Second, strengthening quality supervision: tightening production licensing, increasing random checks on low-priced, high-risk products, and building a unified product quality traceability system. Third, strengthening anti-unfair competition: enforcing the revised anti-unfair competition law, targeting false advertising and commercial defamation, and enhancing trade secret protection. The report notes that by the end of August, authorities had handled 29,000 cases of low-quality, low-price violations nationwide.
Read sourceChina's market regulator vows to crack down on malicious low-price competition with cost probes
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced on September 20 that it will intensify efforts to shift market competition from price wars to quality-based competition during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. SAMR spokesperson and Deputy Director Shu Wei stated at a State Council press conference that the regulator will focus on three areas: price enforcement, quality supervision, and anti-unfair competition. On price enforcement, SAMR will accelerate the revision of the Price Law and the regulation on curbing below-cost sales, develop cost calculation standards with industry associations, and form a legal system against predatory pricing. Companies leading malicious low-price competition will face cost investigations and price inspections. New rules for internet platform pricing will be implemented, and a price supervisor system will be piloted. On quality, SAMR will tighten production licensing, adjust compulsory certification catalogs, increase random checks on low-priced and high-risk products, and build a unified product quality traceability system. On anti-unfair competition, SAMR will enforce the revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law, conduct special enforcement actions targeting false advertising, mutual slander, commercial defamation, and bribery, and strengthen trade secret protection. By the end of August, 29,000 cases of shoddy low-price violations had been handled nationwide.
Read sourceChina to Accelerate Market Regulation Reforms, Revise E-Commerce Law by 2030
On September 20, at a State Council Information Office press conference, State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) Deputy Director Shu Wei announced targets for 2030, including a unified and efficient market access and exit system, enhanced anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition enforcement, and a mature comprehensive market regulation system. During the '15th Five-Year Plan' period (2026-2030), SAMR will balance regulation and development. Shu Wei stated that a crackdown on inferior low-price competition has already handled 29,000 cases this year, and the government will guide competition from 'price' to 'quality', revising the Price Law and regulations on predatory pricing. SAMR's Zhu Jianqiao said the E-Commerce Law will be revised to add penalty types like proportional fines and business suspension, strengthening platform responsibilities. The National Medical Products Administration's Yang Sheng announced plans to revise drug and medical device laws, compile the 2030 Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and foster 3-5 globally competitive biopharmaceutical clusters. The plan also includes revising at least 20,000 national standards, including 1,000 mandatory standards.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator to Rectify 'Involution-Style' Competition, Guide Quality Shift
On September 20, Shu Wei, spokesperson for China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), announced at a State Council press conference that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, SAMR will comprehensively rectify 'involution-style' competition and guide business entities to focus on quality and efficiency rather than low-price internal friction. SAMR will accelerate the shift from 'price wars' to 'quality competition' by revising the Price Law and anti-dumping provisions, conducting cost investigations on malicious low-price enterprises, and deploying special anti-unfair competition enforcement. Wang Guowei, SAMR's Planning and Finance chief, said unified market access rules will be improved to safeguard enterprise autonomy. Zhu Jianqiao, head of Online Transaction Supervision, stated SAMR will accelerate formulating a Negative List for Online Trading Platform Rules, amend the E-Commerce Law to add penalties, and include new types of operators. SAMR also plans to formulate or revise at least 20,000 national standards, including 1,000 mandatory ones, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator Targets 'Involutionary' Competition to Curb Destructive Price Wars
On September 20, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) held a press conference outlining key tasks for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, including rectifying 'involutionary' competition. SAMR spokesperson Shu Wei stated that price wars cannot build a future and that the goal is to shift competition from price-driven to quality-driven. The regulator reported investigating 29,000 cases of substandard products sold at excessively low prices by the end of August. Three specific measures were announced: accelerating revision of the Price Law with cost investigations and penalties for malicious low pricing; increasing spot-checks on abnormally low-priced products, especially on e-commerce platforms and wholesale markets; and enforcing the newly revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law against false advertising and commercial defamation. The article, by CNR Finance reporter Niu Guyue, frames the initiative as clearing obstacles for high-quality development, arguing that low-price attrition harms R&D investment, wages, and product quality, while emphasizing that opposing involution does not mean opposing healthy competition based on quality and fair prices.
Read sourceChina to Investigate Costs of Firms Leading Malicious Low-Price Competition
On September 20, Shu Wei, Deputy Director of China's State Administration for Market Regulation, announced at a State Council press conference that authorities will intensify efforts to curb malicious low-price competition during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. He stated that enterprises leading such practices will face cost investigations and price inspections, with strict legal penalties. By end of August, 29,000 cases involving low-quality and low-price products had been investigated nationwide. The strategy focuses on three areas: strengthening price enforcement through revision of the Price Law and rules on low-price dumping; enhancing quality supervision with increased spot checks on abnormally low-priced products and e-commerce platforms; and reinforcing anti-unfair competition enforcement under the newly revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law, targeting false advertising, commercial defamation, and trade secret violations. Shu Wei emphasized that 'price wars cannot build a future; only high quality can win the market,' aiming to establish 'premium quality commands premium prices' as market consensus.
China's Market Regulator Outlines Three-Pronged Plan to Shift Competition from Price to Quality
On September 20, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) held a press conference on the '15th Five-Year Plan' period. Spokesperson and Deputy Director Shu Wei stated that SAMR has launched a crackdown on low-quality, low-price violations, handling 29,000 cases by end of August. For the '15th Five-Year Plan' period, SAMR will focus on three areas to guide market competition from 'price competition' to 'quality competition'. First, strengthen price enforcement by revising the Price Law and regulations against predatory pricing, developing a '1+1+N' legal system, and implementing rules for internet platform pricing. Second, strengthen quality supervision by tightening production licensing, increasing random inspections on suspiciously cheap products, and building a unified product quality traceability system. Third, strengthen anti-unfair competition by enforcing the revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law, targeting false advertising, commercial defamation, and bribery, and enhancing trade secret protection. The regulator aims to establish 'quality over price' as market consensus.
Read sourceChina to Intensify Enforcement Against Malicious Price Competition, Regulator Says
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on Sunday that it will strengthen scrutiny of malicious price competition. The regulator stated it will conduct cost investigations and price checks on companies engaged in such practices, and will accelerate the revision of the Price Law while studying rules aimed at curbing low-price dumping. Authorities indicated the goal is to shift competition from price wars toward improving product quality. The SAMR will also promote the implementation of pricing conduct rules for internet platforms, enhance quality inspections of products sold at abnormally low prices, and crack down on illegal online sales activities. Additionally, the regulator noted it will continue enforcement actions against false advertising, commercial defamation, bribery, and other forms of unfair competition. The announcement signals a broader regulatory push to reshape market dynamics in China, moving away from aggressive discounting toward quality-based competition.
Read sourceChina Market Regulator Vows Shift from Price Wars to Quality Competition
In a press conference for the 'Starting the 15th Five-Year Plan' series, Shu Wei, spokesperson and Deputy Director of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), announced a comprehensive push to shift market competition from price wars to quality competition. By the end of August, 29,000 illegal cases involving substandard low-priced products had been investigated. SAMR will focus on three areas during the 15th Five-Year Plan period: strengthening price law enforcement, including revising the Price Law and curbing malicious low-price dumping; strengthening quality supervision through stricter production licenses and mandatory certifications; and strengthening anti-unfair competition efforts under the newly revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law, targeting false advertising and commercial bribery. The goal is to establish 'high quality at fair prices' as market consensus.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator Vows to Crack Down on Malicious Low-Price Competition
On September 20, a State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) official announced at a State Council Information Office press conference that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the agency will take comprehensive measures to address low-quality and low-price competition. The official stated that SAMR will strengthen price enforcement by guiding industry associations to set cost calculation standards and promoting a '1+1+N' legal framework against predatory pricing. Companies leading malicious low-price competition will face cost investigations and price inspections, with strict legal penalties. SAMR will also promote implementation of the Rules on Pricing Behavior of Internet Platforms to standardize price competition in the platform economy. Additionally, the agency will enhance quality risk monitoring and supervisory spot checks, particularly for products with abnormally low prices or high safety risks, and increase checks on e-commerce platforms and wholesale markets. SAMR will improve consistency between online and offline supervision, accelerate building a national unified product quality and safety traceability system, and reinforce platform enterprises' responsibilities. The official also said routine special enforcement actions against unfair competition will target false advertising, mutual disparagement, commercial defamation, and commercial bribery, with landmark cases to be investigated and handled according to law.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator to Crack Down on Malicious Low-Price Competition
On September 20, the State Council Information Office held a press conference as part of the 'Starting Well in the 15th Five-Year Plan' series. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced comprehensive measures during the 15th Five-Year Plan period to address low-quality and low-price competition, aiming to shift market competition from 'price wars' to a 'quality'-focused track. SAMR will strengthen price enforcement by guiding industry associations to develop cost calculation standards and promoting a '1+1+N' legal framework to regulate predatory pricing. Enterprises leading malicious low-price competition that disrupt production and business operations will face cost investigations and price inspections, with strict legal handling. The Rules on Pricing Behavior of Internet Platforms will be implemented to standardize price competition in the platform economy. Additionally, SAMR will enhance quality risk monitoring and supervisory spot checks, especially for products with abnormally low prices or high safety risks, and increase coverage in e-commerce platforms and wholesale markets. Special anti-unfair competition enforcement actions will target false advertising, mutual disparagement, commercial defamation, and commercial bribery, with landmark cases to be investigated and handled according to law.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator to Crack Down on Malicious Low-Price Competition, Promote Quality
On September 20, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced comprehensive measures during the 15th Five-Year Plan period to combat low-quality and low-price competition, aiming to shift market competition from 'price wars' to a 'quality' focus. The SAMR will strengthen price enforcement by guiding industry associations to formulate cost calculation standards and promoting a '1+1+N' legal framework to regulate predatory pricing. Enterprises leading malicious low-price competition that disrupt production and business operations will face cost investigations and price inspections, with strict legal handling. The implementation of the Rules on Pricing Behavior of Internet Platforms will be promoted to standardize price competition in the platform economy. Additionally, quality risk monitoring and supervisory spot checks will be enhanced, particularly for products with abnormally low prices or high safety risks, with increased checks on e-commerce platforms and wholesale markets. The SAMR will improve online-offline supervision consistency, accelerate a national product safety traceability system, and reinforce platform enterprises' responsibilities in product review and recalls. Special governance campaigns will target quality and safety of industrial products sold online, cracking down on illegal activities. (CCTV News via Jin10 Data)
Read sourceChina to Accelerate Price Law Revision to Crack Down on Malicious Low-Price Competition
On September 20, Shu Wei, spokesperson and Deputy Director of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), announced at a State Council Information Office press conference that during China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, the government will accelerate the revision of the Price Law. New regulations targeting low-price dumping will be formulated, and industry associations will be guided to establish cost calculation standards, forming a '1+1+N' legal framework. The SAMR will lead cost investigations and price inspections of enterprises engaged in malicious low-price competition that disrupts production and business operations, handling cases strictly according to law. Additionally, rules governing pricing behavior on internet platforms will be promoted to standardize price competition in the platform economy. Interim provisions for a price supervision officer system will also be developed to reinforce enterprises' primary responsibility for price compliance.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator to Revise Price Law to Crack Down on Malicious Low-Price Competition
On September 20, Shu Wei, spokesperson and Deputy Director of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), announced at a press conference hosted by the State Council Information Office that during China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the agency will accelerate the revision of the Price Law. The revision aims to formulate regulations curbing low-price dumping, guide industry associations to establish cost calculation standards, and build a '1+1+N' legal framework for regulating such practices. SAMR will lead cost investigations and price inspections of enterprises engaged in malicious low-price competition that disrupts production and business operations, handling cases strictly according to law. Additionally, the regulator will promote rules governing pricing practices on internet platforms to standardize price competition in the platform economy, and research interim provisions for a price supervisor system to reinforce enterprises' primary responsibility for price compliance.
Read sourceChina's Market Regulator to Accelerate Price Law Revision to Curb Malicious Low-Price Competition
On September 20, Shu Wei, spokesperson and Deputy Director of China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), announced at a State Council Information Office press conference that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the agency will accelerate the revision of the Price Law. The SAMR plans to formulate regulations targeting predatory pricing, guide industry associations in setting cost calculation standards, and build a '1+1+N' legal framework for regulating such practices. Authorities will lead cost investigations and price inspections on enterprises engaged in malicious low-price competition that disrupts production and business operations, handling cases strictly according to law. The SAMR will also promote rules governing pricing behavior on internet platforms to standardize price competition in the platform economy, and develop interim provisions for a price supervision officer system to reinforce enterprises' primary responsibility for pricing compliance.
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