Samsung, LG fined for LCD panel price-rigging (2)

The 172 million yuan that was illegally obtained from Chinese television manufacturers has now been reimbursed to these companies, said the NDRC.

The six companies also vowed to extend the free warranty period of their LCD panels for TV producers on the Chinese mainland from 18 months to 36 months, which could save manufacturers 395 million yuan each year on maintenance costs, the NDRC added.

Up until recent years, TV manufacturers on the mainland have suffered from their reliance on LCD panel imports, as the core technology of LCD production has been kept among LCD panel suppliers in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

"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.