As of the third quarter of 2009, there were an estimated 360 million internet users in China, according to the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC). During the first 9 months of 2009, China added a whopping 62 million users, almost 7 million new users each month.
Although many dispute these numbers (some claiming higher numbers, others claiming lower numbers) and the methods used to obtain them, it is clear that internet use is becoming widespread and China has now eclipsed the U.S. as the largest online population in the world.
One must note, however, that although China has the largest online population in the world, internet penetration rates are still low, around 25.5% as of June 2009.
Next: Chinese Internet Users and the Role of Internet Cafes
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