The transaction size of China's online shopping market will surpass Japan in 2012, and exceed the United States by 2013, becoming the world's largest online trading market, reported Economic Information Daily on May 17.

The report cited the China Business Development Report Forecast (2011-2012) released by the National Academy of Economic Strategy of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on Thursday.

The report noted that even if China becomes the world's largest online trading market in the next year, the thriving online shopping market is not enough to cover up problems in the general Chinese circulation industry.

According to Jing Linbo, vice-president of the National Academy of Economic Strategy of CASS, the fundamental reason lies in unclear positioning of China's circulation industry.

He stated that other problems include market segmentation, enterprises scattered with low concentration, a less competitive market, a lack of theoretical research to guide the practice, and the need for improvement of personnel training.