57th Report: Foreword

Since 1997, the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) has regularly conducted statistical surveys on internet development in China and published the Statistical Report on China's Internet Development twice a year. Before this edition, 56 reports had been published. 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 abroad, experts, scholars and the general public seeking to understand internet development in China.

The year 2025 marked the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and the preparation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China steadfastly pursued its strategies to become a leading manufacturing nation and a strong cyber nation, accelerating the integration of the real and digital economies. Over these five years, China built the world's largest and most extensive network infrastructure and developed the world's largest online retail market and internet-user population. Artificial intelligence increasingly empowered industries across the economy. These achievements brought the 14th Five-Year Plan to a successful close and laid a solid foundation for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

As an observer of China's internet industry and its development trends, CNNIC continues to strengthen its industry research capabilities, identify emerging trends and support evidence-based decision-making. This report examines internet infrastructure resources, the size of the internet-user population, internet applications, generative artificial intelligence and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. By presenting comprehensive data from multiple perspectives, it aims to provide an overall picture of internet development in China during 2025.

We sincerely thank the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and other departments for their guidance and assistance with this report. We also express our sincere gratitude to the many organisations and internet users who supported this statistical survey.