The Chinese government has threatened stiff fines or even closure if internet companies engage in unfair competition, in its first comprehensive attempt at regulating often unruly behaviour in a fast-growing industry.
In draft rules published on Friday, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology warned that internet businesses must not refuse service to users, make their service incompatible with a rival’s or influence customers’ use of rivals’ services.
The regulations are a warning shot to Tencent, the world’s third-largest internet company by market capitalisation, and Qihoo 360, China’s largest provider of free antivirus software, after a fierce battle the two fought late last year on users’ computers.