BEIJING — 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), according to the Ministry of Commerce.

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.