More rural residents surf the net

China boasts the most netizens in the world, around 253 million by June 2008. In 2007 netizens in rural areas increased by almost 130%, accounting for 40% of all newcomers, according to statistics released at the 2008 Internet Conference.

More and more Chinese farmers are turning to the internet to look for information on growing and sales as well as to release business information.

The informatization of rural areas has improved in recent years, but there is still a disparity between city and countryside. Internet use in cities is still four times higher than among rural residents.
Source: China.org.cn