Core Viewpoint - The establishment of a unified market foundation system is essential for the effective functioning of the market economy and resource allocation efficiency in China [3][4][5]. Summary by Sections Market Foundation System - The market foundation system is crucial for regulating market economic operations, as highlighted in the "Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a National Unified Market" issued in March 2022 [3]. - The system has evolved alongside China's reform and opening-up, with significant laws such as the Company Law and Anti-Monopoly Law being established to support a unified market framework [4]. Current Challenges - Despite progress, there are still significant challenges, including regional disparities in market rules, local protectionism, and barriers to market entry for new industries [5][7]. - The lack of a comprehensive national legislative framework for social credit systems and other areas has led to difficulties in cross-regional collaboration [7]. Legal and Regulatory Framework - There is a need for a unified, transparent, and law-based market foundation system to eliminate barriers and enhance market vitality [5][8]. - The design of laws and regulations should focus on unity, precision, and foresight, particularly in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence and big data [8][10]. Enforcement and Supervision - Ensuring uniform enforcement and regulatory standards is vital for the effective implementation of the unified market foundation system [10][11]. - The establishment of a modern regulatory system that leverages technology is necessary to address issues of inconsistent enforcement and local protectionism [11][12]. Collaborative Support Systems - Building a collaborative support system across various sectors is essential for the successful implementation of the unified market foundation system [12][13]. - Coordination between competition policies and other regulatory frameworks is necessary to eliminate local protectionist policies and ensure fair competition [13][14]. Awareness and Governance - There is a need to address cognitive biases and promote a correct understanding of the relationship between local development and the national unified market [14][15]. - Enhancing the theoretical and policy understanding of local leaders is crucial for overcoming local protectionism and fostering a unified market environment [15].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and strategies for advancing the construction of a unified national market in China, emphasizing the need for improved foundational systems and the reduction of local government protectionism [2][3][4]. Group 1: Challenges in Unified Market Construction - The foundational systems for the unified market are currently inadequate, characterized by vague standards, excessive discretionary power, and inconsistent market access criteria across different regions [2][3]. - Local government protectionism distorts the original intent of foundational systems, driven by a reliance on GDP and tax revenue for performance evaluations, leading to short-term and localized problem-solving approaches [3]. Group 2: Recommendations for Improvement - Establish a closed-loop foundational system for the unified market, including legislative enhancements, compliance checks, and regular evaluations of regulations [4]. - Strengthen central institutional coordination to reduce local barriers and enhance regulatory oversight, similar to the EU's approach of transferring regulatory powers to a central authority [4]. - Shift government functions from direct economic intervention to regulatory oversight to mitigate local government protectionism and maintain market order [4]. Group 3: Case Study - The "One Code Integration" reform in Puyang City, Henan Province, exemplifies a successful initiative to address the "access but not operation" issue by integrating various licenses into a single QR code on business licenses, significantly improving market efficiency [5].