The Nielsen/NetRatings survey of 1,000 randomly selected households across the mainland of China in the first quarter of 2002 found that there were 56.6 million Internet users in the country. This was a dramatic leap from 22.5 million users in the country at the end of January 2001.

China's Internet population is only next to the United States' 166 million, but only accounting for 5.5 percent of homes in the country, according to Nielsen/NetRatings.

The survey also found Chinese men aged 16 to 34 dominated Internet access and usage at home. Among those with home Internet connections who also surf elsewhere, home was found to be the preferred venue for Internet surfing, accounting for 53 percent, followed by Internet cafes and offices.

Most of China's Internet users rely on narrowband, dial-up access. Until more Chinese households have telephone lines, penetration rates could remain low, according to Nielsen/ NetRatings.

(People's Daily April 23, 2002)