China has maintained its status as the world’s largest online retail market for the 13th straight year, with digital consumption reaching 23.8 trillion yuan, or roughly $3.39 trillion. The announcement was made during the national e-commerce work conference held this week.
The country’s e-commerce sector has become a major driver of high-quality development, contributing to job creation, industrial upgrades, and innovation in digital services such as cloud computing and big data. Employment in the sector has surpassed 78 million, while express delivery volumes have grown nearly 20% annually over the past five years.
China has also strengthened international cooperation, expanding Silk Road e-commerce partnerships to 36 countries. Policy priorities for 2026 include fostering innovation-driven growth, enhancing the business environment, and broadening global collaboration, ensuring e-commerce continues to support China’s strategic development goals.
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