On September 5, 2026, market regulatory authorities in Guangxi conducted a region-wide verification of licenses held by food service providers operating on online delivery platforms. The screening process flagged more than 5,000 entries with qualification-related discrepancies, prompting immediate field inspections across the region.
During one such on-site check in the Yufeng District of Liuzhou City, inspectors were unable to locate a restaurant listed as “Tonight’s BBQ Bar” at the address registered in its profile—a residential garage. Further investigation revealed that the food operation permit associated with the listing did not exist in the official government database. Upon questioning, the owner admitted to paying a fee of 500 yuan to an individual claiming to be a “platform business manager,” who facilitated the unauthorized listing without obtaining the necessary legal permits. The so-called “ghost restaurant” had been operating for four months before being shut down through enforcement action.
This initiative is part of a broader push by the State Administration for Market Regulation to implement electronic license verification systems nationwide and to prevent unqualified or fraudulent food businesses from joining online delivery platforms. By strengthening oversight and requiring real-time cross-checks of vendor credentials, regulators aim to close loopholes that allow uncertified operators to reach consumers under the guise of legitimate establishments. Guangxi’s latest enforcement actions underscore the growing focus on cleaning up the digital food-delivery space and holding platforms accountable for their merchant vetting processes.
