Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 15th - According to the latest statistics from China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), by December 2007, the total number of internet users in China reached 210 million. Among them, broadband internet users numbered 163 million, and mobile phone users accessing the internet wirelessly reached 50.4 million.
The total number of Chinese internet users increased by 73 million compared to the end of 2006, and increased by 48 million compared to the first half of the year, entering a period of rapid growth. The penetration rate of the internet among the population in China reached 16%, indicating a huge potential for development. According to the growth rate of Chinese internet users, the total number of internet users is expected to surpass the number of 220 million internet users in the United States at the beginning of this year, becoming the largest in the world.
CNNIC is expected to officially disclose these data on the 17th of this month. However, during the official event "Major Events of China's Network Culture Construction in 2007" selection activity, the data was accidentally disclosed.
Observers noted that according to this growth rate, Chinese internet users are expected to surpass those in the United States, becoming the world's largest internet power. Statistics as of November last year showed that the total number of internet users in the United States was approximately 210 million.