China's Internet User Base Reaches Over 1 Billion Amid AI Advancements

In June, China recorded an impressive internet user base of 1.123 billion, translating to a penetration rate of 79.7 percent. This growth indicates that more individuals are reaping the advantages of digital progress, including increased internet access among senior citizens, with 161 million users aged 60 and over, and 322 million users residing in rural areas. A recent report from the China Internet Network Information Center highlighted the flourishing of emerging markets and the swift adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, bolstering China's global prominence through technological innovation that fosters high-quality economic and social development.

The report notes that generative AI products have made significant technological and application strides in the first half of 2025, marked by a rapid uptick in product availability and the broadening of use cases. China's standing in the artificial intelligence arena has notably strengthened, with 346 generative AI services officially registered with the Cyberspace Administration of China by March. One standout achievement in this context is the AI application DeepSeek, which garnered over 30 million daily active users worldwide within a mere 20 days of its release, topping application charts in 140 countries and regions, and establishing itself as the fastest-growing generative AI solution globally.

Generative AI technology is increasingly being integrated into particular application scenarios. The report indicates that answering questions has emerged as the leading use of generative AI products, constituting 80.9 percent of user interactions by June. Additionally, the scale of China's AI industry surpassed 700 billion yuan (approximately $97.5 billion) in 2024, sustaining an impressive annual growth rate of over 20 percent for several consecutive years. Domestic AI innovations have made headway in developing large-scale models with vast parameters and multimodal capabilities, seamlessly blending into various applications—including office collaboration, accessible education, industrial design, and content creation—creating a comprehensive smart application ecosystem across multiple sectors.