Chinese authorities on Wednesday announced a nationwide campaign to crack down on online misconduct concerning the auto industry.

The campaign will run for three months, targeting behaviors such as illegal profit-making, false advertising and malicious defamation, according to a circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and five other government departments.

The move aims to help regulate auto enterprises' marketing and promotional activities, foster a positive public opinion environment and promote the high-quality development of the auto sector, it said.

Specific issues include creating fake images and videos to spread negative information about auto companies, conducting false or irregular product evaluations, manipulating online opinions, and executives using their influence to attack competitors online.

The circular urged auto companies and online platforms to conduct self-inspections and rectify any irregularities. It also pledged efforts to investigate public relations and marketing companies behind the misconduct and take legal action against violators.