E-commerce rules in European Union and China: a comparative analysis

E-commerce is a vital component of the digital economy and has expanded to encompass all transactions conducted through information networks. With the emergence of “platformization,” increased vulnerability of consumers, and the need for stronger protection, proactive measures are necessary to enhance e-commerce law in order to effectively address complex issues related to online transactions and their environments. The EU and China are significant global economic entities with well-developed e-commerce sectors and substantial regulatory experience. Comparative research on their distinct e-commerce regulatory frameworks can promote mutual understanding and inspire innovative legal designs. This thesis aims to explore and compare the e-commerce regulatory frameworks established by the EU and China, identify the issues covered by regulation, and examine the proposed solutions within both frameworks. Through systematic analysis of these regulations, a comprehensive understanding of key values in modern digital society, including consumer protection, corporate coordination, national economic order, digital sovereignty, and the advancement of the digital economy, can be developed. The thesis is divided into three parts: the first part examines the overall normative systems on e-commerce in the EU and China; the second part focuses on specific regulations for e-commerce transactions, revealing legislative preferences in the EU and China; and the third part discusses the regulatory frameworks for the market and legal environments of e-commerce transactions, analyzing legislative innovations respectively realized in the EU and China.