China is set to intensify antitrust enforcement, crack down on cutthroat competition, and refine its platform economy as part of its core market regulation priorities for 2026. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) outlined this strategic agenda following a national work conference in Beijing, emphasizing a push to improve business development quality, strengthen fair competition, and enhance regulatory capacity to stabilize economic growth. (China Daily)
A primary focus for the regulator in the coming year involves dismantling administrative monopolies and deepening fair competition governance. Policymakers are placing particular emphasis on curbing “cutthroat competition”—excessive and inefficient market rivalry that erodes corporate margins and stifles innovation. To support the broader business ecosystem, the SAMR pledged to refine market entry and exit mechanisms, improve corporate credit systems, and strengthen protections for trade secrets and intellectual property.
The digital sector will see continued oversight, with the SAMR focusing on the “gatekeeper” responsibilities of major tech platforms. The regulator plans to accelerate the construction of a unified digital supervision framework to boost transparency and regulatory efficiency. Alongside digital governance, the administration will push for quality upgrading across supply chains and localities through initiatives aimed at developing robust enterprises and industrial clusters, supported by high-quality infrastructure.
Safety oversight remains a pillar of the 2026 agenda, with plans to refine supervision over drug safety, industrial products, and special equipment. On an international front, the SAMR intends to deepen global cooperation, align regulatory standards, and support Chinese companies expanding abroad. This global outlook coincides with recent antitrust investigations into multinational corporations. Experts note that prioritizing foreign-related antitrust enforcement aligns with global practices to secure economic stability and protect domestic interests amid rising global trade protectionism.
