“反内卷”别只跟价格较劲 | 经观社论

Group 1 - The recent halt of low-price marketing strategies in Xi'an's ride-hailing industry reflects a broader trend across various sectors to resist low-price competition and malicious underpricing practices [1][2] - Industry associations and government bodies are increasingly advocating for price increases as part of the "anti-involution" movement, which is seen as a positive development by some commentators [1][2] - The concept of "anti-low-price competition" is becoming a priority for various industries in addressing "involution," with immediate effects expected from interventions by government and associations [1][2] Group 2 - Not all price competition is considered "involutionary," as economic theory recognizes price as a crucial dimension of market competition; only "below-cost" pricing should be opposed [2][3] - The enforcement of "anti-low-price competition" must align with fair competition reviews, price laws, and antitrust regulations to avoid arbitrary interventions that could lead to price collusion [2][3] - The current economic context in China, characterized by insufficient demand, complicates the sustainability of non-market price increases across industries [2][3] Group 3 - The emphasis on "anti-low-price competition" aims to restore fair market competition rather than simply increase prices; enhancing market mechanisms can lead to higher prices and improved profit margins for companies [3][4] - A simplistic approach of merely raising prices may backfire, as price is a signal of market supply and demand, and improper interventions can disrupt market clearing processes [3][4] - Addressing "involution" requires systemic adjustments to tackle issues like unfair competition, unreasonable government subsidies, and restrictive industry entry barriers, necessitating a long-term strategy [3][4]