Review №15 of Chinese Antitrust News from the Experts of the BRICS Competition Centre
- Platforms Improved Algorithms Based on “Negative List”
- Tencent-Himalaya Deal Approved with Remedies
- Regulation of the Internet Advertising Ecosystem
- Inspection of 81 Marketplaces
- Second Antitrust Compliance Lecture
- SAMR Meets with CNMC
- Third Overseas Antitrust Compliance Lecture
Platforms Improved Algorithms Based on “Negative List”
In January 2026, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) held a meeting on the pilot “negative list” for algorithms used by lifestyle platforms. This category includes platforms providing various daily services, such as delivery, repairs, food services and travel. The list has not been made public, but it was apparently circulated among industry players, as leading platforms have already demonstrated initial implementation results.
- More neutral order allocation. Several platforms pledged not to take into account gender, age, price category or order history when assigning orders.
- Optimized delivery-time assessment. Flexible delivery timeframes have been introduced. Some platforms plan to provide couriers with at least 15 additional minutes beyond the calculated delivery time to ease “last-mile” delivery pressure. Meituan developed an algorithm capable of automatically identifying “difficult access” and “difficult upper-floor delivery” scenarios.
- Financial protection for service providers introduced. For example, Didi Chuxing lowered commission caps, while DiDi Delivery introduced a credit-rating system for shippers to prevent freight payment arrears. Platforms also pledged not to differentiate commission rates based on online time, days worked or acceptance of discounted orders.
- Pricing algorithms optimized. All major platforms committed not to charge different prices for the same product or service under identical transaction conditions. They also standardized automatic price-adjustment tools.
- Complaint-handling efficiency improved. Amap, for instance, transferred 100% of decisions significantly affecting drivers’ rights — including account suspensions and blacklisting — to manual review. Meituan, Taobao and JD established reward funds for drivers and passengers performing good deeds.
The above suggests that the “negative list” contains undesirable algorithmic practices that platforms are required to rectify. CAC is expected to closely monitor implementation going forward. Companies found to have committed serious violations will face accountability measures and administrative penalties.
Source: WeChat
Tencent-Himalaya Deal Approved with Remedies
SAMR conditionally approved Tencent’s acquisition of a stake in audio platform Himalaya. After reviewing the filing, the regulator concluded that the transaction could eliminate or restrict competition in the Chinese audio-platform market.
To mitigate potential anticompetitive effects, SAMR required the parties to undertake five commitments:
- not to raise service prices, reduce service quality or impose unreasonable transaction conditions on counterparties;
- not to reduce the share of free content;
- to terminate existing exclusive cooperation agreements with copyright holders and refrain from entering into new ones;
- not to force automakers to use their own audio platforms or prevent them from cooperating with competing platforms;
- not to restrict broadcasters from distributing audio content through other platforms.
According to SAMR, these conditions should effectively protect the lawful rights and interests of consumers, copyright holders, broadcasters and automakers, while ensuring fair market competition.
Source: SAMR
Regulation of the Internet Advertising Ecosystem
China’s internet advertising industry is developing rapidly, forming a complex data-driven and technology-intensive ecosystem. At the same time, new problems continue to emerge, including misuse of artificial intelligence and excessive pursuit of traffic.
In response, SAMR issued the Notice on Deepening Regulation of the Internet Advertising Ecosystem — the first time the regulator has formally adopted the concept of regulating an advertising “ecosystem.”
The notice identifies five regulatory priorities:
- improving the internet advertising regulatory system;
- strengthening the responsibilities of internet platform operators;
- enhancing oversight of advertising in key sectors and new business models;
- improving monitoring and enforcement capabilities;
- strengthening industry value standards.
The authority will launch a six-month enforcement campaign aimed at cracking down on unfair practices that have generated widespread public concern.
In addition, SAMR published the “Key Tasks for Restoring Order in the Internet Advertising Market,” which call for stronger regulation in six areas:
- internet advertising;
- livestream marketing advertising;
- AI-generated advertising;
- pop-up advertising windows;
- advertising promotion matrices;
- further strengthening the responsibilities and obligations of internet platforms.
Source: SAMR
Inspection of 81 Marketplaces
In 2024, under SAMR’s guidance, 81 marketplaces signed a self-discipline convention aimed at strengthening intellectual property protection. The authority now plans to conduct a retrospective review of compliance with those commitments.
Particular attention is being paid to the issue of “ghost stores” — fictitious sellers that redirect orders through intermediary platforms to unverified service providers.
On April 17, SAMR already fined seven major food-delivery platforms for failing to comply with food-safety requirements. The violations involved tolerance of such “ghost delivery” operators — vendors lacking proper licenses for food-service activities.
Source: SAMR
Second Antitrust Compliance Lecture
On May 7, SAMR held its second antitrust compliance lecture of 2026 in Beijing. The session focused on interpreting the Antitrust Guidelines for the Utilities Sector.
The regulator explained the content of the document and analyzed criteria for identifying anticompetitive practices using typical case studies.
SAMR representatives emphasized that utilities are critical to social welfare. Accordingly, market participants should strengthen compliance management, comprehensively review their business practices and improve mechanisms for preventing antitrust risks and enhancing internal controls.
Source: SAMR
SAMR Meets with CNMC
On April 24, SAMR chief Luo Wen met with Cani Fernández, chair of Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC).
The parties exchanged views on recent developments in digital antitrust regulation and new competition-protection initiatives. They agreed on the need to maintain a balance between regulation and development incentives and to foster a favorable competitive environment.
Source: SAMR
Third Overseas Antitrust Compliance Lecture
SAMR held its third overseas antitrust compliance lecture for Chinese companies operating abroad.
The regulator discussed legal compliance issues in high-tech manufacturing industries and highlighted the risks of vertical anticompetitive agreements frequently encountered in cross-border business operations.
Participants received an in-depth analysis of antitrust legislation and recent enforcement trends in the EU and other key jurisdictions. Company representatives noted that the seminar content was closely aligned with industry realities and provided practical guidance.
The overseas antitrust compliance lecture series is designed as targeted legal support for companies “going global” in order to enhance their international competitiveness.
Source: SAMR
