Jing Ji Ri Bao·2026-01-20 22:02Core Viewpoint - The antitrust investigation serves as a critical opportunity for the overall transformation of the platform economy, emphasizing the need for technological innovation to reduce costs and improve efficiency while ensuring fair profit distribution among all stakeholders in the platform ecosystem [1][4]. Group 1: Antitrust Investigation Context - The first antitrust case of 2026 targets Ctrip, with prior indications of issues such as "choose one from two" and technical price intervention being flagged by market regulators [2]. - The investigation suggests that Ctrip's business practices may have already been deemed problematic, raising concerns about potential penalties and their impact on future profitability and business models [2]. Group 2: Policy Implications - Ctrip's situation highlights a conflict between high platform profits and the "real economy first" directive, as platforms often profit from merchants rather than users, leading to a concerning trend of cost transfer from users to merchants [3]. - Ctrip's net profit for the first three quarters of 2025 reached 29 billion yuan, while the total net profit of the entire A-share tourism chain was approximately 19 billion yuan, illustrating the stark contrast between platform profits and the struggles of traditional businesses [3]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Future Directions - The use of pricing tools by platforms like Ctrip creates a vicious cycle for merchants, forcing them into price wars that undermine profitability, which is contrary to the goal of fostering a healthy competitive environment [4]. - The investigation is not only about antitrust but also addresses the issue of "involution" in competition, aiming to create a new ecosystem where all parties can share development benefits through genuine value creation and fair profit distribution [4].