China Issues New Rules to Regulate Pricing Practices of Internet Platforms

China released new rules on Saturday, December 20, to regulate the pricing practices of internet platforms. This is a step aimed at encouraging innovation and promoting the healthy development of the platform economy.

The rules, jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the China Cyberspace Administration, aim to regulate pricing behavior. It also increases transparency, and strengthens coordination mechanisms to build a strong platform ecosystem.

Based on this regulation, clearer guidelines are provided regarding the pricing practices of platform operators and traders to encourage fair competition.

The rules also strengthen the protection of traders' independent pricing rights by explicitly prohibiting platform operators from imposing unreasonable restrictions or including conditions that are not based on traders' pricing decisions.

In addition, this rule aims to better protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers through the enforcement of clear price marking, encourage transparency in dynamic pricing mechanisms and differentiation, and regulate services such as password-free payment, automatic extension, and cuts without approval to maintain consumer information and choice rights.

This rule will be effective from April 10, 2026. The relevant authorities will require the operators of the main platforms to conduct self-inspections in accordance with the regulatory standards to ensure proper implementation.