More than 87 million Chinese bought goods on the Internet this year, about 24 million more than last year and an increase of 38.9 percent year-on-year, the Beijing Times reported, citing a recent report by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC).

Most online shoppers are students or white collar workers between the ages of 18 and 30, with a monthly income of 1,000 yuan (US$146) to 3,000 yuan (US$439). More women shop online than men, and clothing and home-use products are the most popular goods bought online.

According to the Report on China's Online Shopping 2009, the total sum of national online consumption for the first half of the year was 119.5 billion yuan (US$17.5 billion), 89 percent of which through consumer to consumer websites like Taobao.com.

CNNIC estimates the total sum of annual online shopping will reach 250 billion yuan (US$36.6 billion) this year.

(chinadaily.com.cn December 4, 2009)