China: State Administration for Market Regulation and other departments held talks with food delivery platform companies regarding competition and operational issues

On 13 May 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation, together with the Central Social Work Department, the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the Ministry of Commerce, held regulatory talks with food delivery platform companies including JD.com, Meituan, and Ele.me. The talks addressed issues identified in current competitive practices in the food delivery sector. The companies were instructed to comply with the E-Commerce Law, the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, the Food Safety Law, and other applicable regulations. They were required to implement their statutory responsibilities, carry out social obligations, strengthen internal management, operate in accordance with legal requirements, and participate in competition according to established rules. The purpose of the talks was to clarify expectations regarding compliance and to address the rights and obligations of consumers, platform operators, and delivery personnel under existing legal frameworks.