China has released a draft amendment to its e-commerce law for public consultation, aiming to strengthen regulation of the platform economy, protect market participants, and improve industry governance.
A live-streamer is seen selling women's shoes in a live broadcast room at the e-commerce center of Shapingba District, Chongqing, China, June 18, 2025. (Photo: VCG)
Jointly issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Commerce, the draft contains 20 articles and sets out reforms across five key areas.
It expands regulatory coverage to include all participants in the platform economy, not only platforms and merchants, and further clarifies the rights and responsibilities to close existing supervisory gaps.
The draft also strengthens platform accountability by improving enforcement tools and refining responsibility mechanisms to ensure platforms fulfill their obligations and reduce disorderly market behavior.
To improve oversight efficiency, it introduces a unified approach to regulating online and offline business activities, while enhancing coordination between central and local authorities and across government departments.
It also targets prominent issues in the sector, including consumer rights violations and unfair competition, with the aim of improving market order and addressing public concerns.
At the same time, the draft emphasizes high-level opening-up, promoting alignment with international rules and standards, strengthening industry self-regulation, and safeguarding the overseas operations of Chinese e-commerce companies.
The authorities said that they will optimize the draft amendment in light of public feedback and work to advance the revision as soon as possible, providing a strong legal foundation for innovation and sound development of the country's platform economy.