China has opened a market competition assessment into its food delivery platforms, reports Hong Kong's South China Morning Post. Analysts said the move underlined Beijing's determination to curb self-defeating practices in the sector.

The Anti-Monopoly and Anti-Unfair Competition Commission of the State Council said excessive subsidies, price wars and control over traffic flow had become prominent problems in the industry. It warned such practices were squeezing the real economy and intensifying what it called "involutionary" competition.

The commission said the probe would include on-site inspections, interviews and questionnaires to build a detailed picture of market behaviour. It added that views would be sought from merchants, workers and consumers using the platforms.