SHANGHAI, June 11 (Reuters) - Most Chinese automakers

have pledged to make payments to suppliers within 60 days,

responding to regulatory pressure that followed a recent outcry

from suppliers over long payment times and other practices they

call unfair.

Chinese authorities issued new rules in March that require

big companies to settle most payments with suppliers within 60

days that became effective June 1. Even so suppliers had been

worried that there were loopholes for the rules to be

circumvented.

The pledges come after China's industry ministry summoned

automakers to a meeting last week where they were told to put an

end to a brutal price war and excessive competition - factors

which have put tremendous pressure on the industry's supply

chain.

Automakers issuing pledges on Wednesday included BYD

, Chery and Geely. State-owned

Guangzhou Automobile Group and FAW Group made their

pledges on Tuesday evening.