The 56th Statistical Report on China’s Internet Development
China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC)
July 2025
Preface
Since 1997, the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) has regularly conducted statistical surveys of internet development in China and published the Statistical Report on Internet Development in China twice a year (hereafter referred to as the Report). Fifty-five editions have been published to date. Through statistical data, the Report seeks to provide an accurate account of the development of China's internet infrastructure and services. It has become an important reference for government departments, industry organisations in China and overseas, experts, academics and the general public seeking to understand internet development in China.
2025 marks the final year of the 14th Five Year Plan. During this period, China has pursued its strategy of becoming a manufacturing powerhouse, supported Chinese modernisation through the development of a strong cyber nation, accelerated the establishment of a new development model and promoted high-quality economic development. Guided by the manufacturing and cyber development strategies, the integration of informatisation and industrialisation has advanced significantly, scientific and technological innovation capabilities have strengthened, high-technology products have continued to emerge, and the number of fields in which China keeps pace with or leads international developments has gradually increased. The digital economy has entered a period of comprehensive expansion, with steadily increasing competitiveness and influence. The integration of digital technologies with the real economy has produced significant results. Emerging technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, have been widely applied across industries, accelerating their digital transformation. Communications infrastructure, including 5G and gigabit fibre networks, has reached an internationally advanced level, laying a solid foundation for the successful completion of the objectives of the 14th Five Year Plan.
As an observer of developments and trends in China's internet industry, CNNIC continues to strengthen its industry research capabilities, follow the course of internet development and identify industry trends. Through the Report, it tracks the development of the digital economy, digital society and digital government to support evidence-based decision-making. Covering basic internet resources, the internet user population, internet applications, generative artificial intelligence and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, the Report seeks to present data from a wide range of perspectives and provide a comprehensive account of internet development in China during the first half of 2025.
We sincerely thank the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League and other departments for their guidance on the Report. We also extend our sincere thanks to the many organisations and internet users who supported this statistical survey.
China Internet Network Information Center
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