Competition policy

摘要

China's central government has become more tolerant of nonstate enterprises. This reflects strong lobbying by officials in the more reform-minded coastal areas and special economic zones (SEZs), coupled with fears of massive rural unemployment. Six recent landmark events highlight growing official recognition of the importance of private enterprise: 1.In 2013 the Chinese Communist Party issued a statement following a full meeting of its leading bodies, saying that "both public and nonpublic ownership are key components of China's socialist market economy." 2.The State Council (the cabinet) in 2010 issued a document on the "healthy development of investment from the private sector" that explicitly encouraged private investment as a means of developing the economy; an earlier State Council document from 2005 had merely allowed such investment. The 2010 document also lists the industries where private investment is welcome, including communication, education, energy, healthcare services, mining, public utilities and transportation.3.The National People's Congress(the legislature)adopted the long-awaited Property Law in 2007,granting protection for both public and private property.4.The legislature adopted a constitutional amendment in 2004 that,for the first time,recognises and protects private property.5.The 16th Congress of the Communist Party decided in 2002 to allow private entrepreneurs to enter the party ranks;and 6.Constitutional amendments passed in 1999 elevated the status of the nonstate sector.