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
