市场监管总局首次对公用事业领域亮“红牌”

Core Viewpoint - The State Administration for Market Regulation has prohibited the establishment of a joint venture between Bluebird Gas Co., Ltd. and Nanguan Gas Co., Ltd. in Nanhai District, Foshan, marking the first prohibition of a concentration in the public utility sector since the implementation of the Anti-Monopoly Law, aimed at maintaining competition in the bottled liquefied petroleum gas market and protecting consumer interests [1] Group 1 - The announcement is a response to a proposed joint venture by six companies in Foshan's bottled liquefied petroleum gas business, which intended to invest in and operate a gas storage and distribution station [1] - The proposed concentration did not meet the reporting standards set by the State Council, but the parties voluntarily submitted a report [1] - The market regulation authority conducted multiple consultations with relevant government departments and industry associations, and engaged an independent third-party organization for economic analysis [1] Group 2 - The evaluation indicated that the concentration would grant the involved entities a dominant market position in the bottled liquefied petroleum gas market in Nanhai District, potentially leading to coordinated actions that could harm fair competition and consumer interests [1] - The decision to prohibit the concentration is based on the provisions of the Anti-Monopoly Law and related regulations [1]