BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's e-commerce sector expanded steadily in rural areas during the first half of the year, with rural online retail sales rising 5 percent year on year to 766.85 billion yuan (about 109.86 billion U.S. dollars), according to the Ministry of Commerce.

File photo by CFP

E-commerce has played a positive role in facilitating poverty alleviation and boosting rural vitalization, the ministry said.

The country's online sales of agricultural products totaled 193.77 billion yuan, rising markedly by 39.7 percent year on year.

China has been promoting the development of e-commerce in rural areas in recent years, as it can boost household consumption, reduce inequality and bring to rural residents the convenience, variety and low prices enjoyed by urban dwellers.