Most of the country's Internet users go online to chat or seek
entertainment rather than look for jobs or conduct business.
According to a report released by China Internet Network
Information (CNNIC) yesterday, 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.
Although the number of China's Internet users has been on the
rise since 1994, when first introduced to the country, the research
showed most users were interested in chat rooms and entertainment,
and not job searches, education, and e-banking.?
About 75 percent read online news and used search engines for
information.
More than 60 percent regarded online music and videos as an
important source of entertainment.
Only 21 percent used e-banking services, and 3.9 percent booked
tickets 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.
"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," Wang said.
According to CNNIC, the number of China's Internet users under
24 years old was 58 million, about 35.8 percent of the country's
total Internet population.
This segment of the population, comprising mostly students,
spends a lot of time playing online games, listening to music and
watching videos.
"We suggest the government is be more active in steering away
youths from these activities," Wang said.
(China Daily July 19, 2007)
