The new guidelines recently released by a couple of Chinese government departments on advancing high-quality development of the e-commerce sector are designed to unleash the sector's internal driving forces, innovative potential and opening-up vitality so as to better serve the real economy, Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong said on Thursday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing, He said that e-commerce has become an important component of the digital economy, marked by rapid development, active innovation, and a wide range of application scenarios, and China has maintained its position as the world’s largest online retail market for 13 consecutive years.

In order to deepen the integration of digital technologies with the real economy, the guidelines proposed several key measures, including strengthening innovation-driven development by advancing the application of digital technologies in the e-commerce sector, cultivating high-quality e-commerce by promoting the integration of online and offline sales channels, and fostering e-commerce for rural area and certain industries to achieve more efficient coordination between production and supply chains. These steps will provide new momentum for the growth of the real economy, He said.

He also stressed the importance of opening up and international collaboration.

"Efforts should be made to further expand opening up. We will align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, explore expanding the pilot zone for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation, and intensify pilot and pioneering efforts. China will continue to expand its Silk Road e-commerce partners and carry out themed activities under the 'Silk Road E-commerce Benefits the World' campaign. The Ministry of Commerce will work with other relevant government departments to ensure the effective implementation of the guidelines, thereby contributing to high-quality economic and social development," the spokesman said.