The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) held a press conference regarding the review of the Meituan and Maiyatian acquisition. This case marks the first instance in the platform sector where a merger, falling below the mandatory reporting threshold, was required to undergo an antitrust review.
Meituan operates a major food delivery platform, while Maiyatian provides aggregation services for delivery logistics. In 2024, their combined market share in the Chinese delivery aggregation sector exceeded 50%. The regulator noted that the merger could potentially restrict competition, limit choices for small merchants, and increase entry barriers.
Following the regulator's concerns, Meituan submitted a conditional commitment plan. To evaluate this proposal, the SAMR conducted a public hearing on September 18. The event included representatives from competitors like Taobao Flash and JD.com, as well as delivery service providers, merchants, and industry experts.
The hearing aimed to address the complexity of data and algorithm-driven competition and to ensure the protection of stakeholders. The SAMR plans to continue the review process, focusing on maintaining fair competition and protecting the rights of small businesses and delivery workers.
