China became the world's largest market for consumer electronics last year, passing North America, Steve Koenig, senior analyst at the Consumer Electronics Association, based in the United States, said.

"North America will have to settle for second place," said Koenig.

"The rapid pace of change, and how fast China has become a global force, is more of the surprise."

This trend has been visible for years, but last year was the turning point when consumer electronics sales in Asian emerging countries exceeded those in North America, reported tech website venturebeat.com.

China's strong economic growth and large population base in urban cities were the driving forces of the country's prominent rise, according to Koenig.

Because of even stronger sales in emerging markets such as China, global smartphone sales are expected to hit 1.2 billion units in 2014, said venturebeat.com.