China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said it reviewed 298 merger control cases in the first half of the year, including one prohibition and two conditional approvals, and issued penalties in four cases for illegal implementation of concentration, according to Jiemian News. The regulator said it focused on major transactions in auto parts, digital entertainment and utilities, using measures such as conditional approval and prohibition to address competition risks.
Among the cases cited, SAMR imposed conditions on American Axle's acquisition of Doles equity, approved Tencent's purchase of a stake in Himalaya with conditions, and blocked a joint venture formation involving Foshan Bluebird Gas and Nanguan Gas and other operators. SAMR also said it is carrying out a special campaign to improve merger review efficiency, with 18 expected outcomes, 283 unconditional approvals in the first half, an average acceptance time of 19.04 days and an average review time of 25.16 days.