Extract

This chapter analyses whether the Chinese legal arsenal governing bid rigging conspiracies deals effectively with them so as to allow government entities to buy at competitive prices. In order to be able to analyse whether or not the current legislation in China is optimally addressing bid rigging conspiracies the chapter measures the current legal framework against the law and economics findings and examines whether the incentives created are sufficient to induce bidders to comply with the law. This approach is necessary since there is no hard empirical evidence available to confirm that bid rigging conspiracies in China are widespread and inflict considerable damage upon society. Anecdotal evidence reported earlier which suggests a general dissatisfaction with price levels and the quality procured is therefore complemented by this theoretic treatment. The legislation reviewed includes the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, the new Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law, the Penal Code, and the public procurement laws. For a long period of time the Anti-Unfair Competition Law was the only means of addressing competition issues. The Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law is a new addition to the legal arsenal that can be brought to bear on bid rigging cartels. Its promulgation took place on 30 August 2007 and it entered into force on 1 August 2008. It is generally hoped that this new law will make a significant contribution to the creation of a market-based economy.