JD.com’s aggressive expansion into China’s food delivery sector has sparked an intensifying battle with rivals Meituan and Ele.me, prompting regulatory scrutiny amid accusations of unfair competition and mounting subsidies. Why it matters: JD.com’s push into food delivery comes as it seeks to diversify beyond its core e-commerce business segment. Platforms were told to strengthen internal oversight, compete fairly, and protect the rights of consumers, vendors, and delivery riders. Following similar benefits for its parcel couriers, JD has become the first platform in China to offer full social security coverage for food delivery riders. Meituan responded by saying that no platform has the incentive or ability to restrict food delivery riders’ freedom to choose which orders to accept.