Anti-trust law reported near

The mainland's first comprehensive anti-monopoly law should be passed by the National People's Congress (NPC) next year, state media said, quoting Ministry of Commerce officials. A draft law was recently unveiled at the ministry's working conference in Beijing, watering down speculation that it would take at least another two years of study and discussion before the National People's Congress would approve anti-trust legislation. This week, China enters the last phase of its grace period with the World Trade Organization when China is expected to view foreign and domestic companies as equal under the law. One Shanghai official said the law had already been submitted to the NPC for final consideration.