China's Ministry1 of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has confirmed that the country's salt monopoly regulation is set to be abolished, China Central Television (CCTV) reports.
中国中央电视台报道，公信部部长已经证实国家对食盐的垄断调控将被废除。
It marks the first time a government department has given a clear response to questions and
rumours2 that have
abounded3 for several months.
The reform will introduce more free-market
mechanisms4 to the industry and reduce state interference in industry activities, providing a fairer platform for enterprises operating in the
sector5.
China introduced the salt monopoly policy in May 1996 to ensure that
edible6 salt be supplemented with
iodine7, a vital
nutrient8.
In 2006, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued a new regulation,
mandating9 that all new operations acquire a certificate before entering the salt industry. This regulation was canceled in April.
The China Salt Society revealed last month that the NDRC has approved the 7th edition of the reform plan. The core idea is to abolish the salt monopoly starting in 2016, and to begin letting market forces. Full details of the reform have yet to be announced.
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