AbstractsLaw & Legal Studies

Although China is removing barriers to the development of electronic commerce, little systematic research has been undertaken on what strategies it should adopt from the perspective of the government. This exploratory study is founded first upon a working framework of the elements of electronic commerce by reviewing the main literature on the subject, thereby surveying the most advanced experiences and the international regime. Based on comparisons in the selected areas, bottlenecks in the development of electronic commerce in China are identified as the following: the backwardness of the IT infrastructure, a fragmentary payment system, an inadequate delivery system, and an insufficient tax and legal framework. A tentative suggestion is that a strategic alliance be formed between two existing technology and distribution trade networks. More specific suggestions for the Chinese government are to upgrade the IT infrastructure, to integrate the electronic payment system, and to enforce regulations and laws.