Review №12 of Chinese Antitrust News from the Experts of the BRICS Competition Centre
- Guidelines for the High-Quality Development of E-commerce
- Administrative Meeting with Marketplaces Selling Counterfeit Health Products
- Administrative Seminar on the Responsibility of Food Delivery Platforms
- Appeal Against Fine for Anti-competitive Agreement Rejected by Court of Second Instance
- What Experts Are Required for Reviewing M&A Transactions
- China Continues to Review the Meta*–Manus Deal
- Antitrust Compliance Training for Platforms in Chengdu
Guidelines for the High-Quality Development of E-commerce
Six government bodies, including the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Ministry of Commerce of China, have issued the Guidelines on Improving Services for the Real Economy and Promoting the High-Quality Development of E-commerce. The document includes the following key points:
- Ongoing (“normalized”) supervision and regulation, including enhanced enforcement against anti-competitive agreements and abuse of market dominance, rigorous review of concentrations, curbing “involutionary” competition, and safeguarding fair competition.
- Support for the digital transformation of SMEs;
- Development of rural e-commerce;
- Development of industrial e-commerce;
- Active application of technological innovation;
- Shifting focus toward consumption of high-quality products;
- Integration of online marketplaces with offline processes;
- Development of cross-border e-commerce;
- Development of e-commerce along the Silk Road;
- Enhancing institutional openness of China’s e-commerce industry;
- Coordination of domestic and international data governance rules;
- Strengthening platform accountability;
- Strict compliance control for outbound expansion;
- Optimization of financial products;
- Development of the data industry;
- Training of qualified professionals.
Source: Gov.cn
Administrative Meeting with Marketplaces Selling Counterfeit Health Products
The Food Safety Office of the State Council, SAMR, and the General Administration of Customs of China summoned three e-commerce platforms—Douyin, Alibaba, and Xiaohongshu (Red Note)—for an administrative meeting regarding the sale of counterfeit health products under the YouthIt brand.
Reportedly, the products were marketed as original goods from an Australian manufacturer, YouthIt, but were in fact produced in China. Authorities took notice after internet influencers involved in promoting and selling the counterfeit goods began issuing public apologies on social media.
Regulators required platforms to strengthen vetting of sellers dealing in imported products, ensure effective complaint channels, and better protect consumers’ lawful rights and interests.
Sources: SAMR, Global Times
Administrative Seminar on the Responsibility of Food Delivery Platforms
SAMR held an administrative seminar for three online food delivery platforms: Meituan, Taobao Flash Sale, and JD.com. They were instructed to strictly comply with the newly issued Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Food Safety in Online Food Delivery Services. The regulations require platforms to integrate food safety responsibility into all stages of their operations.
The rules will take effect on June 1. By then, platforms must adjust their internal processes, train staff and technical support teams, and implement regular self-inspections. Authorities encourage the adoption of innovative technologies and a shift from “passive response” to “proactive governance.” This includes promoting the “Internet + Open Kitchen” model (live-streaming food preparation on platforms) and involving delivery personnel in food safety monitoring.
Source: SAMR
Appeal Against Fine for Anti-competitive Agreement Rejected by Court of Second Instance
The Supreme People’s Court upheld the decision of the Hubei Provincial Market Regulation Authority, which had found 11 concrete manufacturers guilty of engaging in an anti-competitive cartel.
This is a rare case where parties sanctioned by a regulator sought administrative and judicial review. However, the regulator’s decision was ultimately upheld.
On November 24, 2023, the Hubei authority imposed administrative penalties. Its investigation found that the 11 companies violated Article 13 of China’s Anti-Monopoly Law (2008 version), which prohibits price-fixing agreements among competing undertakings.
On March 1, 2024, the Hubei Provincial Government affirmed the penalty decision, concluding that the violations were supported by sufficient evidence and that due process had been followed.
On December 12, 2025, the Supreme People’s Court issued its second-instance ruling, rejecting the appeal and upholding the original decision.
Source: WeChat
What Experts Are Required for Reviewing M&A Transactions
Starting August 1, 2026, China will expand the list of authorities authorized to review simplified concentration cases, adding market regulation authorities in Sichuan, Liaoning, and Zhejiang provinces.
In this context, the Liaoning authority has launched a recruitment program for experts specializing in M&A review and antitrust compliance. The aim is to create a talent pool to support decision-making, conduct theoretical research, and provide expert consultations.
Eligible candidates include professionals from universities, research institutes, law firms, consulting firms, industry associations, and other organizations with academic or practical experience in merger control and related fields.
Requirements include:
- Firm political stance;
- Educational background in law, economics, public administration, public policy, or related fields, or relevant professional experience;
- In-depth knowledge of antitrust law;
- Publications (monographs or articles) on merger control, anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance, etc.;
- Integrity, impartiality, honesty, diligence, and a strong sense of responsibility;
- No criminal, administrative, or disciplinary record, and no academic misconduct or other dishonest behavior.
Source: WeChat
China Continues to Review the Meta*– Manus Deal
Late last year, U.S. tech giant Meta announced its acquisition of Chinese AI startup Manus. Previously, Manus released a product described as the world’s first general-purpose AI agent, capable of autonomously performing tasks such as travel planning, data analysis, educational content generation, and market analysis.
On January 8, 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced it would review the transaction for compliance with laws and regulations on export control, technology import and export, and foreign investment.
The current status of the deal remains unclear. At a regular press conference on April 2, a ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the progress of the review, but emphasized that China supports cross-border business operations and technological cooperation, provided they comply with Chinese law.
*banned and designated as extremist in Russia
Source: WeChat
Antitrust Compliance Training for Platforms in Chengdu
Market regulation authorities of Sichuan Province and Chengdu jointly organized an antitrust compliance training session for internet platforms. Speakers included members of the Expert Advisory Group under the Anti-Monopoly and Anti-Unfair Competition Commission of the State Council.
They provided detailed explanations of this year’s Antitrust Compliance Guidelines for Internet Platforms and key antitrust risk scenarios.
In parallel with the training, platforms—under regulatory guidance—launched internal compliance self-assessments and signed antitrust compliance commitments.
Source: WeChat
