U.S. computer giant Apple Inc. launched its official online store in China on October 27 to curb the "gray" market and expand its business to domestic consumers.

The online store offers a wide range of Apple products, including the iPad and newly launched iPhone 4.

The store is part of Apple's aggressive Chinese expansion strategy. The company, currently having four stores in China, announced early this year that it will open 25 Apple stores in the country by the end of 2011.

The new store will accept online payments from 22 Chinese banks, in addition to a popular third-party online payment tool, Alipay.