China promises to become world's largest Net user
China is set to become the world's largest Net user within two years, outsurfing the US.
According to figures for 2006 released by the China Internet Networks Information Centre (CNNIC), the People's Republic now boasts 137 million Internet users, up 23.4 per cent year on year. Current industry estimates put the US numbers at 210 million.
It is far from clear cut, however, that China's figures will outshine those of the US. Although the Internet is far better established in the US and annual growth therefore becoming sluggish, China's growth figures are also slowing from the highs of 2002's 75 per cent. In recent years, growth had slowed to below 20 per cent. To outgrow the US, China would have to sustain increases in excess of 24 per cent over the next two years.
