国际英语新闻:Samsung, LG fined for LCD panel price-rigging

"The NDRC's move will help establish a fair market," said Bai Weimin, vice president of the China Video Industry Association.

TV producers on the mainland have always hoped for fair treatment from overseas LCD panel suppliers, whose products now cover nearly half of the global LCD TV output, said Bai.

Meanwhile, Chinese netizens voiced their support for the commission's firm stance.

"It may shock all the foreign-funded companies in China running against Chinese laws and regulations," said a netizen on Friday in a post at the Twitter-like Sina Weibo.

"All the domestic TV makers could do nothing but accept the prices those giants fixed, which impacts the industry," said a user with the screen name "Fanrenyanzhongkanshjie".

However, some online comments showed their dissatisfaction, saying the fine could not be compared to that levied by the United States and the European Union on companies for similar deeds, which amounted to about 1 billion U.S. dollars.

"The fine means very little for them," "Donghuahudegui" posted.

The amount of the fine was made based on the companies' illegal income and was in accordance with the Pricing Law of China, the NDRC said. It also took their confession into consideration.

Others thought what matters is the penalty itself, not the exact fine.

"The incident is a milestone for Chinese market regulators who will act hard if anyone plays against rules," said Prof. Wu Hong, Dean of School of Economic Laws under East China University of Political Science and Law.