BEIJING -- China's shipments of wearable devices increased 36.2 percent year-on-year to reach 33.67 million units in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest industry report published by global market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC).

During the period, smartwatch shipments rose 54.1 percent year-on-year to 9.1 million units. In breakdown, shipments of smartwatches for adults gained 62.8 percent year-on-year to 5.05 million units, while the shipments of children's smartwatches rose 44.4 percent to 4.04 million units, according to the report.

The country saw 3.7 million units of wearable bracelets shipped in the first quarter, up 29.6 percent from a year ago, the report shows.

The shipments of ear-worn devices surged 30.6 percent year-on-year to 20.75 million units, said the IDC.