BEIJING - The State Administration for Market Regulation, China's top market regulator, and four other government organs have urged major food delivery platforms to address pressing issues concerning the sector's competitive practices.

In a recent regulatory talk with food delivery platforms including JD.com, Meituan and Ele.me, the government agencies called on them to strictly adhere to the country's e-commerce, anti-unfair-competition, and food safety laws.

These firms are required to fulfill their social responsibility, enhance internal management, operate in a lawful and regulated manner, and compete fairly to foster a positive market environment.

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The meeting emphasized the need to safeguard the legal rights and interests of consumers, platform operators, and delivery workers for the healthy development of the platform economy.

The discussion emerged against the backdrop of growing competition in the country's food delivery sector, with many market players getting into the sector to compete for a slice of the burgeoning industry.

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As of December 2024, the number of online food delivery users in China reached 592 million, accounting for 53.4 percent of the total internet users of the country, according to statistics released by the China Internet Network Information Center. Industry data also shows that there are currently over 10 million food delivery workers across the country.