The Internet population in China had reached 360 million by end September 2009, according to statistics from the “2009 China Internet Conference” reported by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Internet access via cell phones hit 192 million users, surging 62.7 percent over the same period last year. China totaled 719.8 million wireless subscribers by end-September 2009 while the country’s telephones surpassed 1 billion, with 324 mil fixed-line users.

What’s interesting to note was that the number of mobile Internet users in China had increased by 37 million people from 3 months ago, suggesting Chinese receptivity to adopting new technology and its market opportunities as compared to more conventional mode of PC internet access in US and Europe.

Earlier this year, CNNIC’s 24th Statistical Report on Internet Development in China reported 338 mil China web surfers at end-June 2009, up 13.4% from late 2008 while the number of broadband users was 320 million, accounting for 94.3% of all Internet users. Then the number of mobile Internet users reached 155 million, accounting for 46% of all Internet users and up 32.1% within 6 months. Most Chinese used the Web for news, entertainment and social networking. Online shopping users jumped by 14 million during the period to 87.9 million while the use of online payment grew by only 4.8%.

Currently, there are 260 million people reading news online, 240 million people communicating through instant messengers, 76 million people paying for services online, 360 million see the Internet as an efficient way to buy or sell stock.

There are 3.2 million websites located in China, with international bandwidth reaching 730G. The Internet industry posted 150 billion yuan sales, with 80 percent of profits coming from online gaming, online advertising and e-commerce. E-commerce accounted for 10 percent of China’s overall retail sales in 2008. The country’s largest telecom operator, China Mobile, is launching a cell-phone payment system based on mobile Internet technology.

Staff of China Mobile said, “The service allows users to use their mobile phone to buy items and pay bills.. just like a bank card. All ordinary purchases can be done with your phone. You don’t have to take your wallet with you any more.”