China is conducting a review of potentially anti-competitive behaviour in the world’s largest car market, the commerce ministry said yesterday, as new sales data showed that foreign brands were continuing to acquire market share at the expense of their struggling domestic rivals.

Qiu Zhongyi, a ministry official, confirmed that Beijing had asked industry associations in a range of sectors to share information on problems ranging from monopoly practices to local protectionism. “We want to understand the challenges they are facing,” he said, adding that the review covered dozens of industries including cars, pharmaceuticals and alcohol.

The survey document, circulated late last month, said the reviews were being conducted in accordance with the Chinese Communist party’s pledge in November to ensure that market forces would play a “decisive” role in the economy.