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The article looks at the direction of China's economic policies under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. It highlights the possibility that the government may step back from its free-market, pro-business policies. The increasing role of the communist party in the private sector is discussed, as well as the move to expand regulation of online commerce, real estate and video games.

The article discusses proposals by Indian regulators to impose new rules on the Internet companies such as limits on what Internet companies can do with users' personal data and restrictions on the ability of foreign electronic commerce firms to undercut local businesses on price.

Reports on the reaction of entrepreneurs in China and their foreign backers on the rules imposed by the government on all Internet companies. Maximum fines that would be imposed for violating the rules; Comments from Tony Zhang, chief executive of Chinanow.com; Requirements from companies that provide news related to education and health.

Discusses the efforts of European officials to adopt a proposal to ensure that digital products bought into Europe via electronic commerce do not escape taxation. Dependence of European nations on consumption taxes; Attempts of the European Commission to prevent people from downloading software from United States web sites tax-free; Information on European electronic commerce.

Reports that auction sites Amazon.com and eBay had agreed with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission over safeguards that will protect people from buying dangerous second-hand products via the Web. Significance of the agreement; Differences in the way garage sales are conducted.

Explores how state laws in the United States apply to crimes committed on the Internet. Discussion on the case of Kevin Jay Lipsitz, a resident of New York, New York, who committed fraud on the Internet by selling magazine subscription; Ruling of the New York State Supreme Court on the case; Examination on the arguments for and against applying the state laws on Internet commerce.

Reports plans for the December 1998 release of Ira Magaziner's interagency working group's report on electronic commerce. The report as the foundation of United States President Bill Clinton's Internet commerce policy; Its arguments for stronger consumer protection and privacy rights; Its insistence on industry self-regulation and lack of taxation.