【社评】规范价格行为，推动平台经济共赢发展

Core Viewpoint - The future of platform economy should not be dominated by a single entity but should aim for a scenario where platforms profit, merchants thrive, and workers have stability, achieving development with warmth while pursuing efficiency [1][5] Regulatory Framework - The new regulations, titled "Internet Platform Pricing Behavior Rules," were jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Internet Information Office, set to be implemented on April 10, 2026, after public consultation [1][2] - The regulations address issues such as differential pricing, dynamic pricing, and consumer rights, mandating clear disclosure of pricing rules and requiring significant prompts for automatic renewals and hidden charges [2][3] Impact on Stakeholders - For consumers, the regulations enhance the protection of rights such as the right to know and choose, potentially increasing online consumption willingness and stimulating domestic demand [3] - For platform economies, the regulations delineate boundaries for pricing behavior, guiding platforms to convert compliance into core competitiveness and focus on technological innovation and user experience [3][4] - Regulatory bodies will benefit from a more systematic and comprehensive pricing behavior oversight framework, shifting from post-event penalties to preemptive regulations, which may yield better regulatory outcomes [3] Market Dynamics - The new rules are expected to curb the impulse of some companies in the platform economy to engage in "price wars" for traffic or exploit algorithmic advantages, gradually transforming the competitive landscape from scale expansion to compliance and value creation [3][4] - The platform economy has become a key driver of convenience, economic growth, and transformation in China, but it faces challenges such as quality inconsistencies, false advertising, and the need for better labor rights and social security for new employment forms [4][5]