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China has most net users in world Surge in Chinese internet users
(about 2 hours later)
China's online population, already the world's largest, has expanded to 298 million.China's online population, already the world's largest, has expanded to 298 million.
This marks a 41.9% increase on the previous year and is still growing fast, said the government-linked China Internet Network Information Centre.This marks a 41.9% increase on the previous year and is still growing fast, said the government-linked China Internet Network Information Centre.
The study also showed huge increases in the number of people in China accessing the internet through mobile phones.The study also showed huge increases in the number of people in China accessing the internet through mobile phones.
The report by Cinic also noted that internet use in the countryside was increasing faster than in the cities.The report by Cinic also noted that internet use in the countryside was increasing faster than in the cities.
At the end of 2008, the number of net users in China, which has a population of 1.3 billion, was almost the same as the entire population of the United States.At the end of 2008, the number of net users in China, which has a population of 1.3 billion, was almost the same as the entire population of the United States.
Users in the countryside surged by 60.8% year-on-year to 84.6 million, compared with much more modest growth of 35.6% in the urban areas, the report said.Users in the countryside surged by 60.8% year-on-year to 84.6 million, compared with much more modest growth of 35.6% in the urban areas, the report said.
The Cinic report said 117.6 million people accessed the Internet using their mobile phones last year, up 133% from 2007. The Cinic report said 117.6 million people accessed the internet using their mobile phones last year, up 133% from 2007.
Students are the main strength of mobile Internet users, the study said: 43.5% of them use their cell phones to read online news, download music, check email and perform a variety of other tasks. Students are the main strength of mobile internet users, the study said: 43.5% of them use their cell phones to read online news, download music, check email and perform a variety of other tasks.
3G boom3G boom
China, with 633.8 million mobile phone users, last week issued long-awaited licences for third-generation (3G) mobile phones to China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom.China, with 633.8 million mobile phone users, last week issued long-awaited licences for third-generation (3G) mobile phones to China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom.
"With the coming of the 3G era, wireless Internet will have exponential growth," Cininc said in a statement accompanying the release of its report."With the coming of the 3G era, wireless Internet will have exponential growth," Cininc said in a statement accompanying the release of its report.
3G phones enable faster data transmission and services such as watching TV, playing online games, wide-area wireless calls and web surfing.3G phones enable faster data transmission and services such as watching TV, playing online games, wide-area wireless calls and web surfing.
By 2011, the three operators expect to start 3G services all over China, a move which analysts predict will spur further massive growth in mobile internet use.By 2011, the three operators expect to start 3G services all over China, a move which analysts predict will spur further massive growth in mobile internet use.
As the categories of mobile Internet services increase, charges have also been dropping fast. As the categories of mobile internet services increase, charges have also been dropping fast.
China's Internet penetration is still low at just 22.6% , leaving more room for rapid growth, Cinic said. China's internet penetration is still low at just 22.6%, leaving more room for rapid growth, Cinic said.
ConstraintsConstraints
The study said 234 million people surfed the Internet to read or watch news by the end of 2008, a much higher estimate than recently made by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The study said 234 million people surfed the internet to read or watch news by the end of 2008, a much higher estimate than recently made by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
In 2007, 155 million Chinese Internet users relied on the Web to read news, accounting for 73.6% of the total Internet population, according to Cinic. In 2007, 155 million Chinese internet users relied on the Web to read news, accounting for 73.6% of the total Internet population, according to Cinic.
It also said the number of Chinese bloggers hit 162 million by the end of 2008.It also said the number of Chinese bloggers hit 162 million by the end of 2008.
China's booming internet use comes despite government attempts to control content and to crack down on allegedly pornographic sites.China's booming internet use comes despite government attempts to control content and to crack down on allegedly pornographic sites.
Access to websites offering diverse political opinions remains restricted, even as Chinese intellectuals and activists regularly brave the constraints to post new statements.Access to websites offering diverse political opinions remains restricted, even as Chinese intellectuals and activists regularly brave the constraints to post new statements.
The government also actively uses the internet to put across its actions and ideas, with top leaders having fan sites online The government also actively uses the internet to put across its actions and ideas, with top leaders having fan sites online.