BUSINESS

China Tightens Antitrust Oversight of Online Platforms

Published: Dec. 18, 2025 5:42 a.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

The State Administration for Market Regulation updates the progress in its antitrust enforcement campaign at a press conference on Dec. 17, 2025.

China’s top market regulator on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to tightening antitrust oversight of the platform economy while encouraging innovation and orderly growth.

The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said it will continue routine supervision of major online platforms, with closer scrutiny of competitive practices that harm merchants and consumers, including exclusivity arrangements known as “picking sides” and so-called “lowest price across the internet” requirements.

You've accessed an article available only to subscribers

Subscribe today for just $.99.

VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

Explore the story in 30 seconds

China’s SAMR is intensifying antitrust oversight of online platforms, targeting abuses like exclusivity and forced lowest-price requirements.
New Internet Platform Antitrust Compliance Guidelines highlight risks such as algorithmic collusion, urging platforms to improve compliance and internal reviews.
Recent policy emphasizes stricter, more transparent regulation to protect merchants, consumers, and workers, while encouraging innovation and balanced platform growth.

AI generated, for reference only