BEIJING, April 24, 2026 — China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has hosted a training session aimed at helping Chinese companies strengthen antitrust compliance when expanding into international markets.
The event, the third session of SAMR’s 2026 Overseas Antitrust Compliance Lecture Series, was held in Beijing on April 23 and focused on competition law risks faced by companies operating abroad.
Focus on vertical agreement risks
The workshop addressed common competition risks in cross-border business, particularly those related to vertical agreements, which frequently arise in international supply and distribution arrangements.
Officials and experts explained antitrust frameworks in key jurisdictions, including the European Union, and discussed recent enforcement trends. The session also examined typical compliance risks in the high-end manufacturing sector, including issues linked to cartel behaviour and merger control obligations.
According to the regulator, the programme aims to provide companies with a structured “toolbox” for antitrust compliance, helping businesses identify risks and adopt preventative strategies before entering overseas markets.
Supporting companies’ global expansion
Nearly 200 companies from eight regions, including Beijing, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning, attended the workshop. Participants were primarily from the high-end manufacturing sector.
SAMR said attendees welcomed the session for offering practical guidance and industry-specific case studies that clarified regulatory “red lines” in foreign jurisdictions and suggested concrete compliance strategies.
Part of broader compliance initiative
The overseas antitrust compliance lecture series is part of SAMR’s broader efforts to support Chinese companies’ international expansion and promote compliance with foreign competition laws.
The regulator said it will continue organising targeted compliance guidance programmes tailored to the needs of different industries and regions to help Chinese companies expand internationally while managing regulatory risks.
Source: https://www.samr.gov.cn/xw/sj/art/2026/art_f733039dff1c4891bc5fef85506eeeed.html
