BUSINESS

Beijing Pressures Internet Platforms to Rein in Cutthroat Competition

Published: Feb. 15, 2026 3:06 a.m. GMT+8

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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.

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China’s market regulator summoned seven major internet platforms, including Alibaba and Tencent, to warn against unfair competition and aggressive promotions.
New antitrust guidelines were issued, targeting risks such as algorithmic collusion and predatory pricing across e-commerce, social media, and financial services sectors.
Authorities also summoned travel and mobility platforms to address lending transparency and fair pricing, expanding regulatory scrutiny beyond food delivery.

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Who’s Who

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. was among seven major internet platforms summoned by China's top market regulator, SAMR, on February 13. They were warned against cutthroat competition and aggressive promotional tactics. This marked a broadening of regulatory scrutiny from food-delivery services to wider e-commerce and social-media sectors.

Tencent Holdings Ltd.: Tencent Holdings Ltd. was among seven major internet platforms summoned by China's top market regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). They were warned against cutthroat competition and aggressive promotional tactics on February 13. This is part of broader regulatory scrutiny targeting unfair competition across e-commerce and social media sectors.

Douyin: Douyin was one of seven major internet platforms summoned by China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). The regulator warned these tech giants against cutthroat competition and aggressive promotional tactics, urging them to comply with laws governing unfair competition, pricing, and consumer protection. This meeting is part of a broader regulatory effort to curb excessive internal competition and promote a fair market environment.

Baidu Inc.: Baidu Inc. was among seven major internet companies summoned by China's top market regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), on February 13. The summons warned against cutthroat competition and aggressive promotional tactics, urging compliance with laws governing unfair competition, pricing, and consumer protection.

JD.com Inc.: JD.com Inc. was among seven major internet platforms summoned by China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on February 13. The company was warned against cutthroat competition and aggressive promotional tactics. This marked the third regulatory intervention in a year, expanding scrutiny across e-commerce. JD.com was also previously summoned by SAMR in May 2025 regarding issues in the food-delivery sector.

Meituan: Meituan, a major internet platform in China, was summoned by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) due to concerns over cutthroat competition and aggressive promotional tactics. This is not the first time Meituan has faced regulatory scrutiny; they were previously called in over issues in the food-delivery sector, specifically regarding consumer and delivery rider rights.

Taobao Shangou: Taobao Shangou is among the seven major internet platforms recently summoned by China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). This occurred on February 13, and the watchdog warned these tech giants against cutthroat competition and aggressive promotional tactics. SAMR urged them to strictly comply with various laws governing fair competition, pricing, and consumer protection.

Ele.me: Ele.me, a Chinese food-delivery service, was summoned by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) in May 2025 alongside JD.com and Meituan. The regulator addressed issues in the food-delivery sector, emphasizing the protection of consumer and delivery rider rights. A subsequent meeting in July reiterated the need for rational competition within the industry.

Trip.com Group Ltd.: Trip.com Group Ltd. was among six travel platforms summoned by the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the central bank, and the SAMR on February 13. The summons addressed concerns about their lending partnerships, with authorities demanding clearer disclosure of loan products and prohibiting misleading marketing.

AMap: AMap (高德地图) was summoned by the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the central bank, and SAMR over concerns regarding its lending partnerships, with authorities demanding clearer disclosure of loan products and prohibiting misleading marketing. Transport regulators also summoned AMap due to management deficiencies and alleged suppression of driver fares.

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What Happened When

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.

July 2025：: SAMR held a follow-up meeting with JD.com, Meituan, and Ele.me to stress the need for rational competition in the food-delivery sector.

September 2025：: A SAMR spokesperson said the regulator was monitoring the food-delivery sector to prevent price distortions caused by excessive subsidies.

Feb. 13, 2026：: SAMR summoned representatives from Alibaba, Tencent, Douyin, Baidu, JD.com, Meituan, and Taobao Shangou, warning them against cutthroat competition and aggressive promotional tactics.

Feb. 13, 2026：: The National Financial Regulatory Administration, together with the central bank and SAMR, summoned six travel platforms including Trip.com Group and AMap over concerns about lending partnerships, demanding clearer loan product disclosure and prohibiting misleading marketing.

Feb. 14, 2026：: SAMR released new antitrust compliance guidelines targeting eight areas of potential monopoly risk, including algorithmic collusion, predatory pricing, exclusivity, and discriminatory customer treatment.

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