In a move to thoroughly implement the decisions and plans of the central authorities regarding the platform economy, and to better safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all parties involved in e-commerce, further standardize the conduct of e-commerce platform operators, and promote the sustained and healthy development of e-commerce, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Commerce have recently drafted and released the "Amended Draft of the Electronic Commerce Law of the People's Republic of China (Draft for Solicitation of Comments)" for public consultation.

The draft amendment, consisting of twenty articles, primarily addresses five key areas. Firstly, it aims to expand the scope of legal regulation. Building upon the current framework governing platforms and operators within platforms, it further clarifies the rights and obligations of other participants in the platform economy.

Secondly, it seeks to improve the platform accountability system. Beyond the existing fixed-amount fines and orders to suspend business for rectification, it introduces more regulatory tools to support normalized oversight.

Thirdly, it defines a coordinated working mechanism for regulatory synergy. In response to the cross-sector and mixed operations characteristic of the platform economy, it adds the principle of consistent management for online and offline business operations, strengthening integrated supervision through inter-departmental coordination and collaboration between central and local authorities.

Fourthly, it standardizes prominent illegal activities in e-commerce. Focusing on issues that have drawn strong public concern in practice, it revises and improves corresponding provisions to effectively address societal worries.

Fifthly, it aims to deepen open cooperation in e-commerce. The draft promotes the alignment and compatibility of e-commerce rules, regulations, management, and standards with international norms, enhances industry self-discipline, guides orderly expansion overseas, adds countermeasures against external actions, and safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises.

Moving forward, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Commerce will refine the draft amendment based on feedback received during the public consultation period and work to expedite the revision and promulgation of the Electronic Commerce Law of the People's Republic of China. This effort aims to solidify the legal foundation for innovation and the healthy development of the platform economy.