JD.com on opportunities, challenges in rural areas

Photo taken on May 22, 2014 shows an advertisement for JD.com Inc in Shanghai. [Photo/China Daily]

"Apart from helping rural customers order products online and delivering their purchases, the centers are going to recruit and train tens of thousands of people to represent the firm's business and support after-sales services and 'last kilometer' delivery services in the rural areas," said Wang.

3. What kind of support and encouragement are you looking for from local governments?

Li Heming, director of rural e-commerce strategic cooperation department said that most of local governments have recognized the boost e-commerce companies provide to rural economic growth.

"We hope that county-level online shopping development will be considered the key point for local governments' rural e-commerce development strategy."

"In terms of helping to promote agricultural products in urban market, we hope more rural e-commerce retailers will be supported by local governments to jointly work with the country's large e-commerce platforms, support them to integrate product resources, guide them in initial operations and supervise the quality of online retail products."

"As far as supporting sale of industrial products in rural areas is concerned, local governments should help large e-commerce platforms to set up subsidiaries in rural areas, provide necessary subsidies, introduce industrial talents, upgrade rural outlets and organize promotional activities in the countryside."