Antitrust law poised for 2006

China’s long-awaited antitrust law could be passed by the end of this year, according to a senior official from the State Council’s Legislative Affairs Office. Speaking in an interview with the Financial Times, vice-minister Zhang Qiong said the Chinese economy is damaged �in a large measure� by companies abusing dominant positions, price-fixing and the creation of monopolies. It is hoped the anti-monopoly law, which will be passed to the National People’s Congress for review in 2006, will help solidify the legal structure of China’s market economy. However, some analysts believe progress will be disrupted by disagreements between government departments over who should manage antitrust cases.