China's SAMR Clears Tencent-Ximalaya Deal With Conditions to Preserve Free Content, Fair Pricing
Updated
Updated · Xinhua · May 12
China's SAMR Clears Tencent-Ximalaya Deal With Conditions to Preserve Free Content, Fair Pricing
5 articles · Updated · Xinhua · May 12
SAMR approved Tencent’s purchase of an equity stake in Ximalaya only after requiring binding commitments aimed at preventing harm to competition in online audio and music streaming.
The regulator said the deal could otherwise restrict competition, so Tencent, Ximalaya and the merged entity cannot raise audio-streaming prices, cut service standards or impose unreasonable trading terms.
The companies also must not reduce the share of free content, including popular free titles, a condition SAMR framed as protecting consumers and smaller market participants.
SAMR said it will closely monitor compliance, casting the case as part of a broader push under China’s 2026-2030 plan to strengthen market rules and support healthier platform-economy competition.
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