Chinese regulators summon food delivery firms over unfair practices

China's top market regulator and four other government authorities have jointly summoned major food delivery platforms, urging them to rectify unfair market practices and enhance protection of the rights of consumers, merchants and delivery riders.

The move came as JD, known for its e-commerce platform, recently expanded into the on-demand delivery sector and heavily invested in discounts and waived commissions for some merchants.

The meeting, led by the State Administration for Market Regulation, joined major food delivery platforms including JD, Meituan and Alibaba-backed Ele.me.

Citing prominent problems in the sector's competitive landscape, the meeting called on companies to strictly comply with the country's e-commerce, anti-unfair competition, and food safety laws.

Firms were instructed to strengthen internal compliance, assume greater social responsibility, and engage in fair and orderly market competition, the meeting said.

It also emphasized the need to ensure the legal rights of all stakeholders, particularly consumers and gig workers for the healthy development of the sector.