AsianFin--China should put an end to the widespread practice of selling brand-new cars as heavily discounted second-hand vehicles to clear excess inventory, the People’s Daily said in a strongly worded article published Tuesday.

The Communist Party’s flagship newspaper, often seen as a mouthpiece for top leadership sentiment, called for strict regulatory action against so-called “zero-mileage used cars,” a tactic that inflates sales data and distorts the automotive market.

The criticism comes just weeks after Great Wall Motor Chairman Wei Jianjun publicly denounced the practice, prompting the Commerce Ministry to convene meetings with domestic automakers. While the ministry has yet to issue an official stance, the People’s Daily urged authorities to intervene decisively to restore order and credibility to the sector.