** Hong Kong shares of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com 9618.HK fall 7.8% to HK$122.10, their lowest since September 24, 2024

** Stock set for the biggest one-day pct drop since April 7; top loser on Hang Seng Index .HSI, which is down 1.1%

** Chinese authorities have asked e-commerce platform operators to stop insisting on merchants refunding customers without requiring the return of goods, to alleviate financial pressure on merchants, two people familiar with the matter said

** The government met operators including PDD PDD.O and concluded the practice must end by July, the people said, without specifying dates

** PDD and peer JD.com declined to comment, while Alibaba did not respond to requests for comment

** JD.com also calls out anti-competitive pressures on food delivery couriers

** Hong Kong shares of Alibaba 9988.HK eases 2.2%, food courier Meituan 3690.HK drops 5.4%

** Hang Seng Commerce & Industry Index .HSNC falls 1.6%, Hang Seng Tech Inded .HSTECH drops 2.1%

(Reporting by Donny Kwok)

((donny.kwok@thomsonreuters.com))