Four Core Relationships for Building a Nationwide Unified Market
Zhang Ru
Based on the Central Committee's and State Council's Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a Nationwide Unified Market (hereinafter referred to as "Market Opinions"), the National Development and Reform Commission recently officially released the Guiding Opinions on Building a Nationwide Unified Market (Trial) (hereinafter referred to as "Market Guide"). The former focuses on goal-oriented guidance, while the latter emphasizes methodological implementation; the former highlights content setting, while the latter stresses procedural descriptions; the former unfolds macroscopic arrangements, while the latter constructs microscopic supports. These two documents are highly consistent and closely coordinated, resonating with each other like a symphony, outlining four key relationships that deserve attention in the process of building a nationwide unified market.
Firstly, there is the relationship between breaking and establishing. The construction of a nationwide unified market must first create institutions and rules, which means abolishing regulations and practices that hinder fair competition and eliminate traditional interest frameworks, such as closed small markets and self-sustaining cycles. This "breaking" requires strong courage and wisdom, while "establishing" requires the ability to construct the foundation and pillars of a nationwide unified market, emphasizing innovation and creativity.
Breaking and establishing involve different behavioral rhythms in terms of method and timing selection. For practices that obstruct fair competition and infringe on the rights of entrepreneurs, it is necessary to choose "breaking" followed by "establishing" or simultaneous "breaking" and "establishing". Failure to do so will only exacerbate the damage to enterprise interests and increase the difficulty and risk of building a nationwide unified market. In contrast, for issues related to market access, negative list reduction, and social credit system construction, it is necessary to adopt the approach of "establishing" followed by "breaking". Regardless of whether it is "breaking" followed by "establishing" or simultaneous "breaking" and "establishing", it is essential to prevent institutional rules and standards from becoming a "vacuum", requiring thorough and comprehensive transitional policy arrangements.
Secondly, there is the relationship between the large market and strong markets. China is currently the only country in the world with all industrial categories listed in the National Industry Classification (NIC) and has maintained its position as the world's largest manufacturing industry for 14 consecutive years. The agricultural GDP of China remains stable, ranking among the top in the world in terms of industrialization level. As a result, China is a super-large-scale market from both supply-side and demand-side perspectives.
A strong market is built on a solid foundation of institutions and rules, as well as high-standard interconnected facilities and elements. In this process, the market demonstrates characteristics such as unity, openness, competition, and orderliness, achieving dynamic equilibrium between supply and demand at higher levels and horizons. Internally, it promotes national economic growth, while externally, it facilitates seamless circulation and coordination with international markets.
Thirdly, there is the relationship between effective market and government with a strong sense of responsibility. To adapt to the shift from emphasizing speed-based growth to prioritizing efficiency and innovation-driven high-quality growth, economic core drivers should be upgraded from government-led guidance to market-driven decision-making. The construction of a nationwide unified market must first allow the market to become an extremely effective market, where not only resources are allocated but also all processes can be implemented smoothly without distortions or misallocations.
In addition, government should play a role in self-awareness and self-revolution, transforming management functions according to market needs, and ultimately increasing and optimizing service provision. Moreover, regardless of whether it is law enforcement, administration, or supervision, effective government must strictly follow market rules rather than relying on its own authority.
Lastly, there is the relationship between unity and regionalism. Building a nationwide unified market requires not only policy consistency and rule cohesion but also coordination in execution. This necessitates creating corresponding policy execution supervision institutions and awarding or punishing different departments and regions based on their policy implementation effects.
The focus of demonstration and trial projects is not on the size of the unified market area but rather on optimizing the structure, especially in terms of technical benefits and external spill-over. This includes exploring modes, methods, and mechanisms for breaking down regional barriers, connecting policy enforcement and judicial standards, protecting the rights and interests of entrepreneurs, strictly implementing the "one-list" management mode, integrating the "internet + supervision" system and "double random, one public" inspection system, and facilitating inter-city return-and-refund channels.
This article represents the author's personal views only.