The number of internet users in China hit 1.1 billion by December 2024, up 16.08 million from the previous year, according to an industrial report on the country's internet development released on Friday.
The report by the China Internet Network Information Center revealed that internet penetration in China reached 78.6 percent in 2024, 30 years after the country was fully connected to the global internet.
China now boasts the world's largest internet infrastructure, equipped with advanced technologies, driving the rapid growth of its digital economy, according to the report.
As of November 2024, China had established 4.191 million 5G base stations, with a net increase of 815,000 from the previous year.
By December 2024, the number of ".cn" domain names had reached 20.82 million, retaining the top spot in the world for ten consecutive years.
"China has continued to advance the construction of its internet infrastructure, building the world's largest and technologically advanced internet framework, achieving gigabit connectivity in all counties, 5G coverage in all towns and broadband access in all villages, providing sustained momentum digitalization of rural areas," said Liu Yulin, director of the China Internet Network Information Center.
As of December 2024, the internet penetration rate reached 65.6 percent in rural areas, while 52.5 percent of the population aged 60 and above have internet access. The number of online payment users has surpassed 1 billion and the number of online shoppers stands at 974 million.
China's e-commerce sales and mobile payment penetration rate remain the highest globally.
In November 2024, the number of products that offer generative artificial intelligence (AI) services registered in China had reached 309, with over 4,500 AI companies.
China also ranks second globally in total computing power.
China boasts 1.1 billion internet users: report
The coordination between Iran, China and Russia is vital for addressing new challenges facing the international community, an Iranian political analyst said on Friday.
Foad Izadi, the analyst, made the remarks while commenting on a trilateral meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue held in Beijing on the same day.
The meeting, chaired by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and attended by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, focused on exploring potential pathways to revive diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving Iran's nuclear issue.
The development comes as the Trump administration has pushed for negotiations on a new agreement that would permanently prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
During a press briefing following the meeting, Vice Foreign Minister Ma emphasized that the involved parties should work to address the root causes of the current crisis, stating that China, Iran, and Russia reject both the use of sanctions and the threat of military force.
"In Eurasia, we have three major countries: Iran, China, and Russia. So, coordination between these countries, given the fact that there are new challenges facing the international community, is going to be important. I think this is why the three countries are getting together in Beijing," Izadi told China Global Television Network (CGTN).
Beijing's statement also underscored the importance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which formally endorses the 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers.
China reiterated its readiness to support diplomatic solutions to break the deadlock over Iran's nuclear program.
"Iran-China relations are good. It is not in the interest of China for Iran to face more difficulties from the United States," Izadi pointed out.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has revealed that a new proposal is under consideration, which could help resolve outstanding issues between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The timing of this "new proposal," coinciding with Trump's letter to Iran and the Beijing meeting, could help sustain a glimmer of hope for the continuation of nuclear negotiations, according to experts.
Iran-China-Russia coordination vital for addressing challenges: analyst
