Anti-trust probe expands, with 6 fines topping 100 mln yuan  

中國反壟斷擴圍已開6張上億罰單 專家：會更頻繁

This combo photo shows the industries that China has probed in anti-monopoly campaign. (Photo source: Chinanews.com)

(ECNS) – China has levied a total of 3 billion yuan ($500 million) in anti-monopoly fines since the beginning of 2013. Each of the six biggest fines exceeded 100 million yuan ($16 million).

Experts anticipate that China's anti-trust probes will be carried out more frequently and more broadly, not targeting any specific sector or company.

In January 2013, six television makers including Samsung were fined 353 million yuan ($57 million) for price fixing. Two months later, China's top liquor companies Maotai and Wuliangye were fined 449 million yuan ($72 million). In August that year, six milk powder companies including MeadJohnson, Abbott and Fonterra were fined 669 million yuan ($108 million).

In August 2014, China levied a record fine of 1.235 billion yuan ($200 million) on 12 Japanese auto companies. In September, more than 20 insurance companies were fined 110 million yuan ($17 million). The latest move was on Sept 9, when China fined three cement companies 114.39 million yuan ($18 million).

Chamber of Commerce analyst Bai Ming said probes into these various sectors show that China's anti-monopoly effort is widening. Bai anticipated even more probes in the future.

The public has been hailing the moves, calling for probes into areas such as natural gas, real estate, electricity and banking.