China's SAMR, Culture and Tourism Ministry Warn Online Hotel Booking Platforms to Curb Competition Risks

China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism held an administrative guidance meeting on online hotel booking platform services on September 15, telling Meituan, Douyin, JD.com, Trip.com, Tongcheng and Fliggy to strictly fulfill compliance responsibilities and prevent competition risks, according to Jiemian News. The meeting said fair competition is the legal foundation of a market economy and that compliance is essential for business development. The regulators said online hotel booking platforms have grown rapidly in recent years and have helped make travel more convenient and support tourism spending, but competition risks should not be ignored. They urged platform companies to abide by China's Anti-Monopoly Law, Anti-Unfair Competition Law, E-Commerce Law and Tourism Law, conduct self-inspections, and avoid exclusive cooperation arrangements and "lowest price across the internet" practices. The meeting also called for stronger compliance systems, healthier competition and better protection of consumer rights.