With its fast growing digital economy, China has issued an interim regulation to crack down on unfair online competition to ensure a level playing field in cyberspace. (PHOTO: VCG)

By ZHONG Jianli

China's State Administration for Market Regulation has issued an interim regulation to crack down on unfair online competition and better protect the rights and interests of online business operators and consumers. The regulation will take effect on September 1.

It aims to ensure a level playing field in cyberspace and promote healthy and sustainable development of the country's digital economy.

One focus is to encourage innovation in enterprises and protect their achievements, thus tapping the maximum potential of the Internet industry.

It clarifies the standards and requirements to prevent various forms of unfair competition acts, including all kinds of false advertising, as well as emerging forms of unfair online competition like fake reviews and illicit data acquisition.

The regulation also emphasizes the responsibility of platform enterprises to manage competition behavior on their platforms and address issues such as the abuse of data algorithms for competitive advantages.

It calls for optimizing enforcement by establishing inspection and oversight procedures tailored to the new features of unfair online competition. The creation of an expert observer system will provide intellectual and technical support to address critical issues.

All the provisions signify a concerted effort to refine the regulatory landscape governing online competition, ensuring a fair and innovative marketplace while fortifying consumer rights and promoting high-quality development of the digital economy.

With new international economic and trade rules taking shape, the release of the regulation will align China with international norms, improve the trade and investment environment, and contribute to building a fairer global economic order.