DALIAN — China’s software exports reached $37.6 billion in 2017, up 9.7 percent year-on-year, said a report on the digital economy issued by the Ministry of Commerce on June 12.

About half the volume, $18.9 billion, was through exports to the United States, European Union and Japan, according to the report.

China’s software export grew rapidly since 2012 and has gradually moved toward the higher end of the value chain, it said.

The report also noted that China still lacks the innovative capabilities in developing basic and development tools software, and warned domestic software companies of growing cost and risks in the industry.