BeijingPressuresInternetPlatformstoReininCutthroatCompetition

Regulators call in seven major platforms and roll out new compliance rules targeting exclusivity deals and below-cost pricing. Photo: IC

China’s top market regulator summoned seven major internet platforms, including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd., warning them against cutthroat competition and aggressive promotional tactics.

The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) called in representatives from the tech giants — also including Douyin, Baidu Inc., JD.com Inc., Meituan and Taobao Shangou — on Feb. 13. The watchdog urged the companies to strictly comply with laws governing unfair competition, pricing and consumer protection, and to take responsibility for overseeing their promotional campaigns.

The meeting marked the third — and most sweeping — regulatory intervention on fair competition over the past year, broadening scrutiny from food-delivery services to the wider e-commerce and social-media sectors.

Regulators explicitly instructed the platforms to curb various forms of excessive internal competition, commonly referred to in China as “involution,” in order to foster a fair market environment and support the healthy development of the platform economy.

Earlier regulatory efforts had focused heavily on the gig economy. In May 2025, SAMR summoned JD.com, Meituan and Ele.me over problems in the food-delivery sector, requiring them to safeguard the rights of consumers and delivery riders. A follow-up meeting in July with the same three companies stressed the need for rational competition. In September, a spokesperson said the regulator was monitoring the sector to prevent price distortions driven by excessive subsidies.

Coinciding with the latest summons, SAMR on Feb. 14 released new antitrust compliance guidelines targeting eight areas of potential monopoly risk, including algorithmic collusion, predatory pricing below cost, “pick one of two” exclusivity arrangements and discriminatory treatment of customers.

Regulatory scrutiny has also expanded into financial services. On Feb. 13, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, together with the central bank and SAMR, summoned six travel platforms — including Trip.com Group Ltd. and AMap — over concerns about their lending partnerships. Authorities demanded clearer disclosure of loan products and prohibited misleading marketing.

Transport regulators have also stepped up pressure on mobility platforms, recently summoning AMap over management deficiencies and alleged suppression of driver fares. Meanwhile, local regulators in Beijing and Heilongjiang province have launched targeted actions against online ticket sales and unfair competition practices by certain platform operators.

Contact editor Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com)