China's information consumption to surge: report

BEIJING - China's spending on information products, including computers, telecommunication and Internet-based services, will jump by 20 percent in 2015, a research institute under the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) forecast on Tuesday.

The value of information consumption will probably top 3.2 trillion yuan ($521.2 billion) this year, according to a report from the institute.

"Thanks to the rapid development of the Internet of Things, big data and cloud computing, information consumption will continue to expand and contribute to growth in society's total consumption," it said.

"Smart" home appliances and mobile-based video programs are leading the trend.

In this year's government work report, Premier Li Keqiang put forward the notion of "Internet Plus", which means the integration of the Internet and traditional industries through online platforms and IT technology.

The MOC institute's report said the Internet has already transformed how the public hail cabs, make restaurant reservations and go on holiday, and that it will soon do likewise for household chores, medical care and education.