E-Commerce in China and Germany: A Sino-German comparative analysis

Abstract

The ways to approach the regulation of e-commerce markets are in the focus of discussion both in China and Germany. While a general need for regulation is undisputed in both countries, the scope, means and aims regulation differ. The Chinese e-commerce regulation is based on strong governmental supervision, providing only little room for control based on private or individual initiative. In Germany, on the contrary, private regulation is the dominant means to regulate the e-commerce market. This study develops, summarises and compares the main regulatory approaches and experiences to e-commerce in China, Germany and the EU. Besides an evaluation of the most important legal acts and the respective decisions, the reader will also find an interdisciplinary analysis of the respective regulatory systems and a comprehensive comparative part. The studies were conducted by prestigious scientific experts and practitioners for e-commerce from the respective regulatory systems: China: Li Anyu (University of International Business and Economics, Beijing); He Mingke, (Beijing Technology and Business University); Ala Musi (CEO of Beijing Deofar Information Technology Co., Ltd.) Germany and EU: Malte Krüger (University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg); Hans-Wolfgang Micklitz (European University Institute, Florence/Otto-Friedrich-University)