[photopress:internet_use_24017_1.jpg,full,alignright]According to a report released by China Internet Network Information (CNNIC), China’s Internet users totaled 162 million in the first six months of this year. The country reported 137 million users last year.
The rapid growth could be translated into almost 100 new users per minute in the past six months.
At this rate of increase, China is expected to overtake the United States, the world’s leader, by the end of next year. The US had 211 million Internet users at the end of last month.
But note most of the country’s Internet users go online to chat or seek entertainment rather than look for jobs or conduct business. This will change, but perhaps slowly.
Although the number of China’s Internet users has been on the rise since 1994, when the Internet was first introduced to the country, the research shows most users are interested in chat rooms and entertainment, and not job searches, education, and e-banking.
About 75% read online news and used search engines for information.
More than 60% regard online music and videos as an important source of entertainment.
Only 21% use e-banking services.
3.9% book tickets through the Internet which seems very low if pretty much the only way you can get an airline ticket is through the Internet.
Wang Enhai, an official with CNNIC, and an author of the report, said the phenomenon is due to China’s Internet infancy and the fact most users were young people.
He said, ‘China’s Internet market is just emerging and there are still a lot of things to be done before a mature online business environment can be established.’
Source: People’s Daily Online