According to recent reports, Microsoft has just achieved another victory related to the purchase of Activision Blizzard. Sources familiar with the matter claim that China has just approved the acquisition, so it will not represent an obstacle for the tech giant.
This news comes just days after the European Commission also gave the deal the green light. Several sources claimed earlier this year that China was going to approve the purchase without any concessions, and it did, as it did not put any conditions on Microsoft.
China joins list of countries that approve Activision Blizzard purchase
According to Dealreporter (via Seeking Alpha) China's State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) unconditionally approved Microsoft's purchase of Activision.
Florian Mueller, founder of FOSS Patents, echoed the information and stated that China is open for business. This is in clear reference to the blocking of the UK's Competition and Authorities Commission (CMA), which recently opposed the European Commission's verdict.
China joins the list of countries that approved the acquisition without any concessions in between. Japan, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Brazil are just some of the territories that also gave the go-ahead to the purchase.
Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are currently working to appeal the CMA's decision. They are also preparing for their battle with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Many believe that China's approval will result in more pressure on these regulators and that they will eventually give in.
Nothing has been confirmed so far, so it is best to wait for more information. At the time of writing, neither Microsoft nor Activision Blizzard have commented on China's move.
China's SAMR has approved #Microsoft's purchase of #ActivisionBlizzard!
— Florian Mueller (@Florian4Gamers) May 19, 2023
Just got the news from a New York-based financial analyst.
This means the deal has been approved in 38 countries with a total population of 2.37 billion people and aggregate GDP of US$42 trillion.
🧵1/2
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