China urged to curb excessive cash burn, not competition, to fight ‘neijuan’



With e-commerce platforms locked in fierce competition for China’s instant retail market, a prominent Chinese economist has called for government guidance that balances regulatory oversight with innovation and a push for new growth drivers.

Wang Yiming, a central bank adviser, said “quick commerce” – involving the rapid delivery of food and essential goods, often within 30 minutes – creates new opportunities for consumption, which could be vital for long-term growth.

He urged officials to guide the sector’s high-quality development through targeted policy measures.

Anti ‘involution’-style competition is not against competition itself, but against behaviours that undermine fair competition,” said Wang, who also serves as vice-chairman of the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges, a Beijing-based governmental think tank.

“Instead, the goal is to raise competition to a higher level – moving away from a zero-sum mindset towards a win-win approach through innovation, quality upgrades and a better industrial ecosystem.”

Beijing has increasingly warned about “neijuan” – cutthroat competition that drives prices down and suppresses domestic demand. E-commerce giants, including JD.com, Alibaba and Meituan, have been at the centre of the controversy as they fight to lure customers through aggressive subsidies.
  • Related Posts

    Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal join global AI body to shape responsible AI – Firstpost

    Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani has been named a founding member of the newly launched AI for Good Global Commission, joining an influential group of 44 global…

    Continue reading
    Food inflation may average 6% in FY27 as weak monsoon threatens crop output: CareEdge Ratings – Firstpost

    Food inflation in India is likely to average around 6 per cent in FY27, while headline consumer inflation is projected at 5 per cent as a sharp rainfall deficit at…

    Continue reading

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *