China has voiced strong displeasure and grave concern over the European Commission’s decision to impose a record EUR550 million (USD628 million) fine on AliExpress, an online marketplace owned by a leading Chinese e-commerce company. The EU has accused the platform of creating “digital barriers” under the guise of platform regulation.
A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce stated today that they oppose Europe’s measures to establish digital barriers under the pretext of regulating platforms, criticizing these actions as discriminatory efforts to hinder the legitimate operations of Chinese e-commerce businesses within Europe.
The European Commission announced the fine on July 20, citing AliExpress for failing to meet obligations related to preventing illegal sales, such as counterfeit goods and unsafe toys. This penalty is the largest issued under the EU’s Digital Services Act, which sets certain standards for online platforms. AliExpress has until October 20 to present a plan outlining how it intends to address these issues.
The spokesperson emphasized that China urges Europe to cease abusing its discretion by exploiting legal ambiguities and to treat Chinese companies equitably. They also reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting its companies in defending their rights through legal channels.
The China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union also voiced concerns and opposition, affirming support for a fair, open, and non-discriminatory digital market environment. They stressed that platform regulations should rest on clear, transparent, and predictable legal frameworks, avoiding the creation of market barriers or negative impacts on the normal operation of businesses and overall market confidence.