regulatory investigation

Rumors circulated online suggesting Google would resume full services in mainland China on September 1st. However, Google’s official Weibo account quickly denied these claims, stating the information was “not true.” Google withdrew its search services from mainland China in 2010 but maintains a presence with offices and an AI research center. In February 2025, China’s SAMR launched an anti-monopoly investigation into Google, potentially focusing on the Android ecosystem.

Zhengzhou hotel operators accuse Trip.com of unauthorized rate modifications via an automated tool, prompting a regulatory probe. Authorities are gathering evidence of price discrepancies up to 20 yuan ($2.75) from merchant-set rates. While Trip.com claims the tool helps hotels stay competitive and allows opt-outs, over 110 complaints allege reactivation without consent. Legal experts warn violations of China’s Price Law and anti-competition regulations, highlighting tensions between platform rate control and merchant pricing autonomy. The case tests updated e-commerce laws amid growing scrutiny of China’s $100B online travel sector dominated by Trip.com.