By March 2008, there were in excess of 200 million users online, which is equivalent to the number is US users, but experts predict that the growth in China is rising month on month.

Despite these huge figures, China still follows behind other countries when it comes to overall users compared to the total population. The global average of users to population is roughly 19%, whilst China falls below this mark. Currently many Chinese workers are low paid but who will see an increase in wages over the next few years, giving them the ability to get online, which should see the country match the global average. It is even estimated that the total number of Internet users in China, in the next few years, will surpass the total population of the USA.

Due to trading restrictions on landline telecom companies - who cannot sell mobile phones, they have been forced to generate business by offering low-cost broadband deals. This is another reason for the increase in users.

Like many users in the west, the Chinese are increasingly turning to the Internet for entertainment purposes. Video sharing sites are amongst the most popular in the country and some even have estimated audiences greater than US TV stations.

One aspect of the Internet that Chinese users cannot experience is freedom of information. The Government monitor user searches and block many western websites that they see as corrupt propaganda. The government also prohibit sites which promote pornography, violence or is seen as a threat to the country’s security.

The Chinese are starting to embrace the power of the Internet by organising a countrywide boycott of a supermarket that supports the Dalai Lama.