The “refund-only” policy in China’s e-commerce sector – where consumers can get back money for goods bought from merchants, without returning the products – is now under scrutiny, as analysts point to how the practice has been abused in the local market. China’s market regulator has directed PDD Holdings, operator of popular budget-shopping platforms Pinduoduo … Read more
Alibaba’s antitrust review comes to a close after 3 years of government scrutiny China’s market regulator has ended its antitrust review of Alibaba Group Holding and given the group full recognition after fining the e-commerce giant US$2.8 billion in 2021, according to an announcement on Friday. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), China’s market … Read more
In its drive to strengthen overall control of Chinese society, the party has in recent years increasingly focused on gig workers, such as hosts on live-streaming and short- video platforms, internet writers, and now delivery crews. Those working for online delivery platforms are effectively all-weather freelancers not protected by traditional job contracts. They are facing … Read more
