2017年CRI Experts share insights on draft of China's e-commerce law

 

China has been making efforts to compile its first comprehensive law regulating the E-commerce market.

A seminar, hosted by the China Consumers' Association, has been held to discuss the draft of the law and how to protect consumers' rights and interests.

Experts made in-depth exploration on regulating E-commerce operators and illicit¹ competition, concluding that responsibilities should be further clarified for online businesses to better protect consumers.

CRI's Guan Chao has more.

Official data show that China's total e-commerce transactions reached nearly 30 trillion yuan in 2016, marking a growth of 25.5 percent year on year.

However, as the sector² changes people's lives, it is also creating issues and problems in a number of areas, including consumer rights and fair competition.

China first began formulating³ its E-commerce Law in 2013, and a draft has now been sent for review by legal authorities.

Shi Jianzhong, Vice⁴ president of China University of Political Science and Law, says that a comprehensive set of E-commerce laws will help address many issues closely related to the lives of consumers.

"Drivers on taxi-hailing platform Didi often cancel orders without giving reasons. DiDi refused to claim responsibilities, saying that as a third-party platform, they can only help handle complaints on contract violations⁵. It's apparent that the platform is not involved in the transactions. In other words, we have no legal base to attribute their responsibility. To handle this issue, we need a new mechanism⁶ that puts the actions of third-party platforms under regulation."

Beijing-based lawyer Qiu Baochang suggests the lawmakers should make further provisions on the joint⁷ liabilities of E-commerce platforms.

"The draft provides that the platforms share joint responsibilities on Intellectual Property Rights. The sellers used to shoulder full responsibilities when consumers bought fake products or when their interests were harmed. Under the new law, the platforms are obliged to check for IPR infringements⁸. This may be expanded to cover fake products and advertisements. The sellers shoulder part of the responsibilities based on platform rules."

Yang Xiaojun, Secretary of Beijing Consumers' Association, says new types of transactions, such as those made via "We Businesses," or small businesses run by individuals over social media, should also be regulated.

"So far, there has been no official definition for We Businesses. But problems are also emerging on these E-commerce platforms, such as fake products, problematic goods, and pyramid sales. So we think that the law should also cover these new transaction forms."

The China Consumers' Association, which has hosted the seminar, will submit the expert suggestions to China's top legislature for further review.

For CRI, I'm Guan Chao.

1 illicit   

adj.非法的，禁止的，不正当的

参考例句：

• He had an illicit association with Jane.他和简曾有过不正当关系。
• Seizures of illicit drugs have increased by 30% this year.今年违禁药品的扣押增长了30%。

2 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

3 formulating   

v.构想出( formulate的现在分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示

参考例句：

• At present, the Chinese government is formulating nationwide regulations on the control of such chemicals. 目前，中国政府正在制定全国性的易制毒化学品管理条例。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• Because of this, the U.S. has taken further steps in formulating the \"Magellan\" programme. 为此，美国又进一步制定了“麦哲伦”计划。 来自百科语句

4 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

5 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

6 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

7 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

8 infringements   

n.违反( infringement的名词复数 )；侵犯，伤害

参考例句：

• It'seems to me we've got to decide on wider issues than possible patent infringements. 我认为我们不能只考虑侵犯专利可能性这一问题，要对更大的一些问题做出决策。 来自企业管理英语口语（第二版）(2)
• Wikipedia relies on its users to correct errors and spot copyright infringements. 维基百科主要依靠用户来纠正错误，并发现版权侵权行为。 来自互联网