CNNIC Releases the 53rd Statistical Report on China's Internet Development

On March 22, the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) released the 53rd Statistical Report on China's Internet Development (hereinafter referred to as "the Report") in Beijing. The Report shows that by December 2023, the number of Internet users in China reached 1.092 billion, an increase of 24.8 million from December 2022, with an Internet penetration of 77.5%. Relevant data indicates that the overall economic recovery and positive trend in China have been continuously consolidated, and the Internet has played a significant role in accelerating new-type industrialization, developing new quality productive forces, and supporting economic and social development.

Continuous Strengthened Network Infrastructure and Deep Optimization of Service Quality

In 2023, China adhered to the principle of stability while pursuing progress, continuously leveraging the leading role of new-generation information technologies to advance high-quality development. Firstly, basic Internet resources were continuously optimized. By December, the number of IPv6 addresses reached 68,042 blocks /32; the number of .CN domain names was 20.13 million; and the number of broadband access ports reached 1.136 billion. Secondly, the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) saw both quality and speed improvements. By December, a total of 3.377 million 5G base stations had been built, covering all prefecture-level cities and county towns. The number of cellular IoT terminal users reached 2.332 billion, an increase of 488 million from December 2022, accounting for 57.5% of mobile network terminal connections. Thirdly, mobile communication networks achieved high-quality development. The "dual gigabit" network, consisting of 5G and gigabit optical networks, has comprehensively driven innovative development in various fields such as intelligent manufacturing, smart cities, rural revitalization, and cultural tourism, providing a solid foundation and strong support for building China's strengths in manufacturing and cyberspace, and a digital China.  

More People Benefit from and Share in the Fruits of Internet Development

In 2023, China continued to accelerate the popularization of information services, narrow the digital divide, and ensure and improve people's livelihoods through development, allowing more people to benefit from and share in the fruits of Internet development. Firstly, the gap in Internet access between urban and rural areas further narrowed. The construction of rural network infrastructure was deepened, and various application scenarios were enriched, promoting steady growth in Internet penetration in rural areas. By December, the Internet penetration in rural areas reached 66.5%, an increase of 4.6 percentage points from December 2022. Secondly, the digital divide among different groups continued to be bridged. Significant efforts were made to ensure that the elderly and people with disabilities could enjoy digital life. A total of 2,577 websites and apps commonly used by the elderly and people with disabilities were adapted for accessibility and usability, and over 140 million smartphones and smart TVs were upgraded for better accessibility. Thirdly, the coverage of public service applications accelerated. The development of digital technology has made public services more convenient and inclusive, with continuous advancements in smart travel, smart healthcare, and other areas, enhancing the digital lives of Internet users. The user base for ride-hailing and online medical services grew significantly, increasing by 90.57 million and 51.39 million respectively from December 2022, with growth rates of 20.7% and 14.2%.

New Consumption Continues to Expand, Boosting Overall Economic Recovery

In 2023, the continuous development of Internet applications, the emergence of new consumption potential, and the sustained growth of the digital economy have contributed to the overall economic recovery. Firstly, the consumption of entertainment and tourism accelerated. Immersive tourism and cultural tourism have become key growth points for local consumption. By December, the user base for online travel booking reached 509 million, an increase of 86.29 million from December 2022, with a growth rate of 20.4%. Secondly, domestic "trendy" products led new consumption trends. Domestic "trendy" products continue to be an important part of online shopping. In the past six months, 58.3% of users have purchased domestic "trendy" products online, and 19.7% of users have purchased new categories or newly launched products.