More than half of Chinese believe China's new anti-monopoly law will have little effect in improving the prices and services, especially in the monopolistic operations of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), according to a survey.
The survey, conducted by China Youth Daily and Sina.com, showed 62 percent of the 1,082 respondents believed it would be difficult for the law to be properly enforced.
Since the adoption of the law, local governments have revealed the production costs of some traditional Chinese snacks in Hanzhong and Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province after producers and stores were accused of collusion in raising prices.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) also named "typical cases of forcing up prices", including dried bean curd and hot pot flavorings.
However, the monopolistic operations of SOEs -- in fields such as telecommunications, electricity, petroleum and the railways -- were of greater concern, according to 51 percent of respondents.
Complaints included the high incomes of SOE employees, garnered from profits made from government subsidies, unilaterally-imposed fees and charges, and substandard services.
"It remains to be seen whether the irrational fees for roaming services and monthly rentals set by telecom companies could be abolished after the adoption of the anti-monopoly law," an anonymous respondent was quoted as saying.
The law states that "an anti-monopoly commission will be set up under the State Council to deal with anti-monopoly issues". The commission will appoint departments to undertake enforcement.
Wang Xiaoye, researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said that as the commission had no power to make administrative decisions, the enforcement departments would face great challenges in enforcing the law in those sectors.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Aug. 30, passed the anti-monopoly law, which will come into effect on Aug. 1, 2008.
China joins more than 80 countries in adopting an anti-monopoly law.Drafting of the law began in 1994.
Experts said China's socialist market economy had matured in the last decade, and the current market circumstances made the introduction of an anti-monopoly law imperative.
Source: Xinhua
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