Suning Appliance, a large IT and consumer electronics retail chain in China, will serve as the exclusive retail seller for Microsoft's Surface RT tablets in China and Hong Kong and will begin to sell the tablets in line with the launch of Windows 8 on October 26, according to industry sources.

Microsoft's decision to choose China as one of the first wave of markets for the launch of Windows 8 devices signifies the growing importance of the PC market in China, according to Suning.

A 32GB version Surface RT with a touch cover will be priced at CNY4,488 (US$716.8), while a 64GB version plus a touch cover will be priced at CNY5,288, according to Sunning. In addition, Sunning may also offer a 32GB standalone Surface RT for CNY3,688 (US$589).

Suning will offer the Surface RT through 500 out of the 1,700 chain stores it operates in China and Hong Kong initially, said the company.

Sales of tablets in China are expected to top 40 million units in 2012 and increase to 65 million units in 2013, Suning estimated.