China to tackle monopolies, introduce competition

China will promote market-oriented reform in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by further breaking monopolies and introducing competition, according to a document issued on Friday after a key meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The functions of different SOEs will be clearly defined, the document said. More state-owned assets will be channeled into public welfare SOEs. Those in natural monopoly sectors, such as energy and minerals among others, will separate government functions from enterprise management, promote franchises and government monitoring of them will be improved, according to the document. Administrative monopolies will be further broken and competitive business will be introduced, the railway sector being one example. This will mean resources are better allocated, the document said. Information disclosure, such as financial budgets of SOEs, will be further explored, the document said. The country will promote checks and balances in SOEs' corporate governance, set up professional manager system so outside talent can be hired and introduce more competition among management, the document said. Salaries and business spending among management in SOEs will be regulated, the document said.