China's Internet users cross 298 million mark

New Delhi, Jan 14 (ANI): The number of Internet users in China has risen to 298 million, a government-sanctioned research group has revealed.

The country's fast-growing population of surfers has risen to 298 million after passing the United States last year to become the world's largest, reports the China Daily.

The country's internet-using population has registered a 41.9 percent increase over the same period last year.

The report by the China Internet Network Information Centre revealed that China's Internet penetration rate is still low, with just 22.6 percent of its population online, thus leaving more room for rapid growth.According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, the US online penetration stands at 71 percent.

However, the financial size of China's online market is still behind that of the United States, South Korea and other countries.

According to research firm Nielsen Online, US had an estimated 223.1 million Internet users in June.

Internet use in China may still soar as the country is preparing to launch third-generation mobile phone service that supports wireless Web surfing. (ANI)