SHANGHAI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - China proposed rules for

internet platform pricing on Saturday, seeking public comment

after a raft of complaints by merchants and consumers of unfair

or misleading pricing by big platforms.

The draft rules for platforms selling goods or services are

meant to encourage price transparency and fairness, the National

Development and Reform Commission said in a statement.

Those operating on such platforms shall "agree on and change

prices through standardised means such as contracts and orders,"

the commission said.

The rules require platform operators and merchants to

"adhere to clear pricing regulations, increase the transparency

of pricing rules and promptly disclose fee changes to better

accept public oversight", it said.

Merchants have accused the mega platforms of unfairly

manipulating prices to bump up sales, while consumers have

complained of misleading pricing.

In 2021 Alibaba ( BABA ) was fined a record $2.75 billion for

anti-monopoly violations, a decision the firm said it accepted,

while e-commerce leaders this year have brushed off regulatory

risk as they fight price wars in "instant retail", where

delivery can be as quick as half an hour.

The rules will be open for public comment for a month.