(Yicai Global) Aug. 9 -- China's first-half online retail sales scaled up 18 percent to CNY4.8 trillion (USD684 billion) over the same time last year, the country's Ministry of Commerce announced today.

E-sales of physical goods climbed almost 22 percent to CNY3.8 trillion, making up about 20 percent of total retail sales of consumer goods in the half, and contributing 45 percent to the growth of the domestic sector.

Editor: Ben Armour