"Reforming an economy as large as China's can't be done overnight and China still has some way to go in its trade reform agenda," said Team Leader Bartley, stressing that: "There are notable examples of progress, pointing to China's Anti-Monopoly Law (AML). Establishing a fair competition regime in China was a key requirement of China's WTO membership and was necessary to govern China's growing market economy."

The Anti-Monopoly Law, which entered into force on August 1, 2008 is China's first unified legislation regulating competition and is a milestone in the development of China's legal system.

"As competition policy is already well established in the EU," said Bartley, "so then it was possible for China to tap into the EU's experience. The EUCTP therefore played a significant role by supporting both China's National People's Congress and the State Council during the crucial drafting phase of this competition legislation, resulting in contributions from European law in structure, terminology and concepts.