China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) Photo: CNNIC

 

The number of people using the internet in China reached 940 million in June, an increase of 40 million from 2019, according to the China Internet Network Information Center's (CNNIC) annual report on internet development in China on Tuesday.

The report says in June, the number of mobile internet users in China has reached 932 million, an increase of 35.46 million compared to March. Internet users in rural areas reached 285 million in June, accounting for 30.4 percent of the total. 

The rising numbers highlight the achievements of "New Infrastructure" which is said to be digital, smart, and innovative, in the first part of this year. 

As part of the country's relief package in a post-COVID-19 era, China is ramping up plans to construct new digital infrastructure across the country - including building 5G networks, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), intercity high-speed rail, and establishing research and development institutions. 

China said it will spend approximately $1.4 trillion on a digital infrastructure for public use.

The report shows that by the end of June, the number of 5G terminal connections had exceeded 66 million, and China's three major telecom companies have installed more than 400,000 5G base stations, a pace and scale of construction exceeding expectations. 

China has been the world's largest online retail market since 2013. The report says by June, the number of online shoppers in China had reached 749 million, accounting for 79.7% of total internet users.

In the face of the severe challenges brought by the COVID-19 epidemic, the online retail market has provided strong support to the growth in consumer spending and activated the circular economy model.

In the first half of 2020, China's online retail sales reached 5.15 trillion yuan, up 7.3 percent year-on-year, the report shows. 

It also says the number of short video users in China has reached 818 million, involving 87 percent of internet users.