Central Committee of the Party Issues 'China Rule of Law Construction Plan'
Establish National Integrated Service Platform by 2022
"Firmly Address Acts Infringing on Rights of Other Market Entities"
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC Central Committee) has decided to establish a national integrated government service platform by 2022. There is speculation that the government will be able to directly manage personal information held by major information technology (IT) companies such as Alibaba and Tencent.
According to the state-run People's Daily and Xinhua News Agency on the 11th, the CPC Central Committee announced the "China Rule of Law Construction Plan" the previous day, which includes strengthening legal measures against unfair competition and market monopolies.
What stands out in this announcement is the promotion of "Internet + Government Services." The plan is to build a national integrated government service platform by the end of 2022, realizing a unified network. In this regard, some interpret this as the government intending to transfer and directly manage and supervise over one billion pieces of personal information (including financial transaction details) held by Chinese IT companies.
The announcement also includes improving the business environment for enterprises within the framework of the law, eliminating unreasonable regulations, and abolishing administrative power abuse to enhance the business environment. The CPC Central Committee also expressed its determination to firmly address acts that suppress market competition and infringe upon the legitimate rights of other market entities.
Experts interpret this as the Chinese government aiming to actively address the monopolies of China's major IT companies by emphasizing the rule of law.
On the same day, the Global Times reported that Chinese regulatory authorities are conducting an antitrust investigation into Alibaba Group, interpreting the Party leadership's revision of laws and regulations as an effort to establish a market-centered international legal business environment. The media also cited experts who noted that with the help of big data and algorithms, cases of online companies violating market norms are increasing, and the Party leadership emphasized the rule of law to improve this situation.
Kong Li, a professor in the Department of Financial Economics at Tianjin University, stated, "When monopoly companies emerge, the market cannot correct itself," and argued, "The government must establish a legal system to ensure the fair allocation of resources." He added, "Monopolies damage the market economy and can exacerbate polarization."
Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the "Central Committee Comprehensive Law-based National Governance Work Conference" in November last year and emphasized the need to guarantee strong rule of law to build a socialist modern country.
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