China unveils new measures to bolster fair market competition

China has introduced a set of measures to enhance the implementation of its fair competition review regulations in an effort to ensure a level playing field for all market players and build a unified national market free from regional protectionist practices.

The 48-article measures, due to take effect on April 20, provide details on the overall review requirements, departmental responsibilities, review standards, mechanisms and procedures, as well as supervisory measures, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said on Tuesday.

Regulations on fair competition review were enacted last year to prevent authorities from rolling out measures that exclude or restrict market competition.

When formulating laws, rules and policies related to business activities, the authorities will be required to conduct such reviews over aspects including market entry or exit, the free flow of goods, and business operation costs and practices, according to the regulations.

The administration also announced plans on Tuesday to launch initiatives aimed at enhancing its fair competition review capabilities, seeking to eliminate practices that undermine a unified national market and fair competition.

"The implementation measures draw on practical experience, breaking down the regulation that prohibits restricting the operation, purchase, or use of goods or services from specific operators into five specific prohibited actions, including explicit or implicit limitations on transactions; restricting the ownership form, registration location, or setting other unreasonable conditions; establishing unreasonable project library or catalog lists; and limiting transactions through rewarding or punitive measures. These actions cover the main types of anti-competitive practices identified in current regulatory enforcement," said Zhou Zhigao, director of the Competition Coordination Department at SAMR, at a press conference in Beijing.

China unveils new measures to bolster fair market competition

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday that the country is at a critical stage and must achieve national unity, emphasizing that maintaining internal cohesion is of utmost importance.

In a televised address, Rodriguez called on the public to continue trusting the government under the current highly complex political circumstances.

Her statement comes in the wake of a January 3 military operation conducted by the United States, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.

The operation resulted in at least 100 fatalities.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president two days later on January 5, framed her appeal for unity against this backdrop of external intervention.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Freddy Nanez denounced the U.S. actions as a "war crime of the 21st century" when speaking at an international cultural event on Sunday.

Nanez condemned not only the January 3 airstrikes but also the associated cyber and electromagnetic attacks.

He accused the United States of violating international law through the forced removal of President Maduro and his wife, while attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, represent a flagrant breach of humanitarian norms.

He reiterated that the stigmatization and military attacks against Venezuela are driven by economic interests, particularly the desire to control its abundant natural resources.

Venezuelan acting president calls for national unity amid complex situation