Recently, the head of the Anti-Monopoly Bureau II of the State Administration for Market Regulation responded to questions regarding the investigation into Qualcomm’s violation of the Anti-Monopoly Law.

Question: Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation initiated an investigation into Qualcomm for suspected violation of the Anti-Monopoly Law. Could you provide details about the specific situation?

Answer: This is a routine enforcement action conducted by the State Administration for Market Regulation in accordance with the Anti-Monopoly Law.

In May 2023, Qualcomm announced its acquisition of Autotalks. After receiving reports, our bureau conducted a comprehensive assessment of this concentration and determined that although it did not meet the notification threshold, there was evidence indicating it could have exclusionary or restrictive effects on competition. On March 12, 2024, our bureau formally notified Qualcomm in writing, requiring them to file a notification in accordance with Article 26 of the Anti-Monopoly Law, and prohibiting them from implementing the concentration before filing or obtaining approval. On March 14, 2024, Qualcomm sent a letter to our bureau indicating they would abandon this transaction. However, in June 2025, Qualcomm completed the acquisition of Autotalks without filing a notification or communicating with our bureau. After receiving reports, our bureau verified the facts, and Qualcomm acknowledged the relevant circumstances. Based on clear facts and conclusive evidence, our bureau has legally initiated an investigation into Qualcomm’s illegal implementation of the business operator concentration regarding the Autotalks acquisition.

The next step will involve the State Administration for Market Regulation continuing to advance the relevant investigation work in accordance with legal principles and objective fairness.

State Administration for Market Regulation

The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is a ministerial-level agency in China established in 2018 as part of a government restructuring plan. It consolidates responsibilities from several previous bodies, including the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, to oversee market regulation, monopolies, product quality, and food and drug safety. Its creation aimed to create a more unified and efficient regulatory framework for China’s vast market economy.

Anti-Monopoly Bureau II

I am unable to provide a summary for “Anti-Monopoly Bureau II” as it does not appear to be a recognized public place, cultural site, or historical institution. The term seems to refer to an internal government department, likely related to market regulation and competition law, rather than a site with a public history or cultural significance.

Anti-Monopoly Law

The Anti-Monopoly Law is not a physical place or cultural site, but a legal framework designed to regulate and prevent anti-competitive practices in a market economy. Originating in the United States with the Sherman Act of 1890, such laws aim to promote fair competition by prohibiting monopolies, cartels, and other restraints of trade. These regulations are now a cornerstone of economic policy in many countries worldwide.

Qualcomm

Qualcomm is an American multinational corporation founded in 1985, renowned for its foundational role in developing and commercializing key technologies for the wireless telecommunications industry. It is most famous for its CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) patents and for designing the Snapdragon system-on-chip processors that power the majority of modern smartphones.

Autotalks

I am unable to provide a summary for “Autotalks” as it does not appear to be a cultural site or a place. Instead, Autotalks is a technology company, founded in 2008, that specializes in creating semiconductor chips and communication systems for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, which enables cars to communicate with each other and their surroundings to improve road safety.

Article 26 of the Anti-Monopoly Law

Of course. Here is a brief summary:

“Article 26 of the Anti-Monopoly Law” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a key legal provision within China’s competition law framework. It specifically governs the review of concentrations between business operators, such as mergers and acquisitions, to prevent them from creating or strengthening a market-dominant position that would restrict competition. This article is a cornerstone of China’s modern economic regulation, established to ensure fair market practices as the economy has grown.