Beijing has signalled stronger action against price wars, convening a high-level symposium of enterprises and regulators – including many left out of previous meetings – to tackle cutthroat competition in the solar sector.
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Authorities vowed to tighten oversight of new project investments, phasing out outdated capacity through market-based and rule-of-law approaches, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), one of the meeting’s hosts.
“Efforts will focus on improving price monitoring and product pricing mechanisms, as well as cracking down on illegal practices such as selling below cost and engaging in false advertising,” it said in a statement.
More actions would also be taken to ensure product quality, including cracking down on false performance ratings and intellectual property infringements. Industry discipline would be encouraged and associations urged to promote fair competition, drive technological innovation and uphold quality and safety standards, according to the statement.
“The meeting called on all parties in the photovoltaic industry to fully recognise the critical importance of regulating competition for the high-quality development of the sector and to work jointly towards its healthy and sustainable growth,” the ministry said.
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Amid continued deflationary pressures, Beijing has stepped up its campaign to curb excessive competition, which has threatened profit margins across several bedrock industries.
The producer price index, which tracks factory gate prices, fell in July by 3.6 per cent year on year, marking the 34th consecutive month of contraction.