第一财经·2025-07-08 02:16Core Viewpoint - A new round of anti-"involution" competition has been initiated, affecting both traditional industries like steel and cement, as well as emerging sectors such as photovoltaics, new energy vehicles, and lithium batteries. The central government has signaled a commitment to address low-price disorderly competition and promote the orderly exit of backward production capacity [1][4][6]. Group 1: Government Initiatives - The Central Economic Committee's recent meeting emphasized the need to govern low-price disorderly competition legally and systematically, aiming to enhance product quality and facilitate the exit of outdated production capacity [1][6]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has held discussions with photovoltaic industry leaders to address the challenges posed by low-price competition and to promote high-quality development within the sector [11][12]. - The revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law, effective from October 15, 2025, aims to provide legal tools to combat "involution" competition, particularly targeting platform operators who enforce below-cost pricing [9][10]. Group 2: Industry Responses - Various industry associations, including those in steel, cement, and battery sectors, have called for a collective response against "involution" competition, advocating for quality over price in market competition [3][16][19]. - The photovoltaic industry is experiencing significant pressure, with upstream silicon material prices plummeting, leading to a collective financial strain across the entire supply chain [12][14]. - Industry leaders have highlighted the necessity for consolidation and stricter control of production capacity to overcome the challenges posed by "involution" competition, suggesting that cooperation is essential for long-term sustainability [14][19]. Group 3: Economic Context - The current "involution" phenomenon is attributed to two main factors: a cyclical economic adjustment leading to heightened price sensitivity among consumers, and external pressures from a de-globalizing environment that compel companies to compete primarily on price [7][8]. - The imbalance between supply and demand in various sectors, particularly in the steel industry, has resulted in increased production despite declining consumption, exacerbating the "involution" issue [18][19].