Stricter regulation in store for online commerce, minister says

Zhang Mao, minister of the State Administration for Market Regulation attends a press conference in Beijing, March 11, 2019. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn]

China's market regulator said on Monday that the government will promote stricter regulation and supervision over online commerce, amid public concerns about false advertising, fake imported goods and monopolistic practices.

E-commerce platforms also have to take key responsibilities for promoting credibility and integrity, Zhang Mao, minister of State Administration of Market Regulation, said at a news conference on the sidelines of the ongoing two sessions, urging them to strengthen internal controls.

China's online sales volume of tangible goods surged 25 percent year-on-year to reach 7 trillion yuan ($1,041 billion) last year.

Online shopping is very popular among the younger generation with its low price and home-delivery service. But many illegal practices such as selling counterfeit goods online violate the rights and interests of the consumers, Zhang said.

The administration has been taking full advantage of big data, cloud computing and other technologies to step up the regulation and supervision over online business, Zhang said.

And the implementation of the e-commerce law and the consumer rights protection law also provides better and more efficient regulation of e-commerce platforms and fosters consumer protection, he said.

Zhang stressed that the administration will set the same standard for online and offline shopping and increase the penalties of selling fake goods for a better development of e-commerce.