By June 2025, the Chinese mainland had surpassed 1.12 billion internet users, marking a 79.7% penetration rate—up 1.1 points since December 2024. This milestone underscores the vast scale of digital connectivity achieved during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), positioning the region as a digital powerhouse.
Behind these headline numbers lies a story of inclusion. As of mid-2025, 161 million users were aged 60 and above, with internet penetration among seniors reaching 52%. Rural regions have also come online in force: 322 million rural residents now access the web, pushing rural penetration to 69.2%. These gains are more than statistics—they represent new avenues for education, commerce, and social connection.
The report also highlights how this connectivity fuels cultural exchange. Online literature and gaming titles from the Chinese mainland have become export leaders, with the overseas market for online literature exceeding 5 billion yuan (about 700 million USD) in 2024. Today, over 350 million readers in more than 200 countries and regions enjoy these digital stories. In Japan alone, reader numbers jumped by 180%, making it the fastest-growing market.
At the cutting edge of this digital surge is generative artificial intelligence. By March 2025, 346 generative AI services were registered with the Cyberspace Administration of China. Domestic AI models, boasting parameter scales in the hundreds of billions and multi-modal capabilities, are being woven into office collaboration, online education, industrial design, and creative content tools. This intelligent ecosystem is reshaping how people work, learn, and create.
As the Chinese mainland continues its digital journey, these developments offer a blueprint for other nations aiming to blend inclusion with innovation. From expanding access in underserved communities to exporting vibrant cultural content and pioneering AI applications, the next chapters of this story will shape the global digital landscape.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
