China Criticizes European Fines on 'AliExpress'

China strongly criticized the European Union’s imposition of a 550 million euro fine on the retail platform AliExpress, expressing strong dissatisfaction and deep concern. In a statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that China firmly rejects the EU’s use of platform regulations to erect digital barriers and to pressure Chinese e-commerce companies in their routine operations in Europe through discriminatory measures. The ministry added that China supports Chinese companies in defending their rights, noting that the government will take effective measures to protect its interests, according to the German news agency dpa. The European Commission had last Monday imposed a 550 million euro fine on AliExpress, owned by the Alibaba Group, for selling illegal goods.