China Expands E-Commerce Infrastructure as Online Retail Drives Nearly Half of Consumer Growth

China’s e-commerce sector accounted for more than 45 percent of national consumer growth in the first three quarters of 2026, propelled by surging online services and an ongoing nationwide push to upgrade digital skills and technical infrastructure. Data from the Ministry of Commerce released Saturday shows nationwide online retail sales of goods and services increased 4.4 percent year-over-year through September. Ministry estimates indicate that online commerce contributed 45.4 percent to overall national retail growth, with online travel, dining, and local lifestyle services recording double-digit expansion. E-commerce platforms are also emerging as key drivers of advanced technology adoption, accelerating independent research…