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China blocks utility merger in second below-threshold prohibition

By MLex Staff ( January 23, 2026, 07:52 GMT | Insight) -- China's antitrust regulator blocked a joint venture among five bottled gas suppliers in southern Guangdong Province, marking its first ban in the utilities sector. This is the second time it prohibited a deal that fell below mandatory filing thresholds, signaling SAMR's willingness to scrutinize deals based on competitive harm rather than size alone.China’s antitrust regulator blocked a joint venture among five bottled gas suppliers in southern Guangdong Province, marking its first ban in the utilities sector and the second time it prohibited a deal that fell below mandatory filing thresholds....

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