In recent years, the Chinese market has witnessed a series of conflicts between leading internet giants, causing significant disruptions to daily life for consumers. One such incident occurred on 29th July 2020, when users noticed that Alipay had been removed as a payment option on the Meituan-Dianping platform. This sparked a heated debate, as the CEOs of both companies publicly questioned why their respective services could not be utilised on the other’s platform.
The rivalry between significant tech companies in China is no new phenomenon. For instance, merchants have long faced the dilemma of choosing between listing their products on either Tmall or JD.com. Similarly, sharing a video from Douyin, also known as TikTok, to WeChat has become increasingly complex, requiring users to download the video first. Even sharing a simple product link from Taobao can be a headache, as it often results in a string of nonsensical characters when viewed on other platforms.
This intense competition between tech giants raises whether these practices are merely strategic business moves or indicative of a monopolistic market. In either case, the consumers must adapt and navigate these obstacles in their daily lives. But what can be done to alleviate these issues?
Firstly, Chinese regulators have a critical role to play in ensuring fair competition within the market. The government has taken steps towards this goal, introducing the Anti-Monopoly Law in 2008. However, implementing and enforcing these regulations remain challenging as new business models and technologies evolve rapidly.
Secondly, consumer rights groups should actively advocate for the interests of the public, pushing for greater transparency and accountability from these tech giants. Public pressure can be a powerful force for change, as demonstrated by the DeleteUber campaign in the United States. This led to a significant drop in Uber’s market share in favour of its rival, Lyft.
Lastly, consumers can exercise their power of choice by supporting platforms that respect their rights and offer a more seamless experience. While this may be challenging in a market dominated by a few significant players, the success of smaller companies like Pinduoduo in recent years proves there is still room for competition and innovation.
In conclusion, the battle between Chinese internet giants has caught consumers in the crossfire. However, through effective regulation, advocacy, and consumer choice, it is possible to create a more equitable market that serves the needs of its users.
Citations
Sina Technology. (2020, 30th July). 美团外卖取消支付宝支付引热议 王兴发文：淘宝为何不支持微信支付？. Sina. Retrieved from https://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2020-07-30/doc-iivhvpwx5817208.shtml
Zhu, A. (2018, 16th November). Tmall vs JD.com: Which is better for your brand??TMO Group. Retrieved from https://www.tmogroup.asia/tmall-vs-jd-com-which-is-better-for-your-brand/
Hao, K. (2018, 12th February). WeChat is quietly ranking user behaviour to play catch-up with Alibaba TechCrunch. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/11/wechat-is-quietly-ranking-user-behavior-to-play-catch-up-with-alibaba/
State Administration for Market Regulation. (2008). Anti-Monopoly Law of the People’s Republic