China's 253 Million Internet Users Surpasses U.S.

China's 253 Million Internet Users Surpasses U.S.

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By Michele Masterson, ChannelWeb

5:28 PM EDT Fri. Jul. 25, 2008

A report from a Chinese government agency said there are now 253 million Web users in China, up 56 percent from a year ago and surpassing the number of users in the U.S, according to reports.

While the numbers are impressive, there is still much room for growth. The China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) found that the figures represent only 19% of the Chinese public using the Internet, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In the U.S., there were approximately 223 million Internet users in June, according to statistics gathered by Nielsen Online.

China Web 2.0 Review translated and reprinted part of the report:

"Nearly 23.8 million Internet users use online payment services, up 71.7 percent from half a year ago; 28.9 percent of Internet users have used their mobile phones to go online within the last six months; and mobile Internet users now number more than 73 million," according to the report.

The most popular service is online music, at 84.5 percent usage rate, China Web 2.0 Review reported. However, IM usage rates dropped from 81.4 percent this past January to 77.2 percent. E-mail use climbed from 56.5 percent to 62.6 percent.