China’s e-commerce development and policy relevance

The dollar value of e-commerce transactions in China has increased enormously over the past 20 years, supported by improved infrastructure, the rapid growth of mobile telephony and increased financing. The market also is characterized by increasing diversity, for example, the growth of e-medical services, the expansion of cross-border e-commerce and the development of online-offline transactions. China’s national government has played an important role in the development of e-commerce through policies elaborated in five-year plans, while regional governments also have participated in planning and adjusting the e-commerce policy framework in light of local conditions.