Chinese business regulators have issued a stern warning to online retailers. Major e-commerce companies such as JD, Amazon, and Alibaba Group Holding have been told to refrain from adopting dubious sales practices during the upcoming Singles Day festival on November 11.

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The Singles Day sales numbers are taken as a yardstick of the consumer economy in China. It also acts as an indicator for the performance of the e-commerce industry in the country. The State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) said that the companies have been asked to look out for fake goods. E-commerce companies have also been asked to desist from posting misleading sales figures.

In a statement posted on its website, SAIC said, "The SAIC will strengthen market supervision ... monitor and manage online marketplaces according to law." The companies were warned against other fraudulent activities as well.

While other companies including Tencent Holdings and Alibaba have not commented on the directives, a JD spokesman said that the company's commitment to quality products and services is its unique selling point.

The Singles Day event was launched seven years ago by Alibaba. It sold $14 billion worth of items during last year's event. However, the company was scrutinized by the US Securities and Exchange Commission for its accounting practices.

The SAIC has issued similar warnings in the earlier years as well. The regulator will be joined by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in managing Singles Day sales. The NDRC will focus on controlling the problem of fake reviews. Singles Day sales in China is reportedly higher than the combined volume of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

TagsJD.com, Alibaba, Tencent