Welcome to the annual issue of our Asia Pacific Competition Highlights. We have prepared a practical overview of the most notable competition law developments to date that may affect your business operations in the region.
In this issue:
Australia:
- Australian authority pushes for record penalties
- First criminal cartel charges launched against individuals
- ACCC faces court challenge for opposing telecommunications merger
- Calls for more ACCC powers and closer scrutiny of digital platforms
China
- Four transactions refiled at SAMR request conditionally cleared
- Interim rules on monopoly and abuse of market power published
- SAMR strengthens enforcement against gun-jumping
- Recent SAMR ruling expands abuse of dominance factors
Hong Kong
- Competition Tribunal establishes key principles in first two landmark cases
- Individuals in the firing line as Commission ups enforcement ante
- HKCC provides guidance on information exchange in decision on sales survey
Indonesia
- Amendments to Antimonopoly Law unlikely this year
- Enforcement ramps up against late filings
- Cartel actions continue
- Investigation opened into ride-sharing industry
Japan
- Japan to introduce new leniency regime
- Draft amendments to merger review guidelines and policies announced
- JFTC looks to strengthen antitrust regulations in digital markets
Malaysia
- Merger control regime formalised for telecommunications sector
- MyCC’s landmark antitrust decisions upheld by the High Court
- Antitrust guidance on IP rights issued
- MyCC proposes USD 21 million fine for abusive practices by ride-sharing operator
Myanmar
- Myanmar establishes Competition Commission
Philippines
- PCC resolves its first case on abuse of dominance
- Authority can now carry out dawn raids
Singapore
- Three hotel operators fined for exchange of sensitive information
- CCCS accepts additional voluntary commitments from lift spare parts suppliers
- Merger of clinical laboratory service companies conditionally approved
Taiwan
- Competition authority reverses infringement decision
- Government watchdog finds TFTC negligent in handling of Qualcomm settlement
- Ready-mix concrete suppliers fined USD 1.9 million for price-fixing
Thailand
- Independent Trade Competition Commission established in October 2017
- Antitrust regulations issued in end of 2018
- Agency guidance documents issued
- Authority imposes first fines
Vietnam
- Vietnam strengthens competition law with new amendments
- Guidance on implementation of new antitrust law yet to be issued
- New penalty rules for antitrust violations take effect 1 December 2019
