China's booming population of Internet users has soared to 221 million, tying the United States for the biggest number of people online, according to data reported Thursday.

- 24 / 04 / 2008 12:43

China's booming population of Internet users has soared to 221 million, tying the United States for the biggest number of people online, according to data reported Thursday.

The figure, as of the end of February, reflects China's explosive growth in Internet use despite government controls meant to block access to material considered subversive or pornographic.

The percentage of Chinese people online stands at 16 percent, below the world average of 19 percent, the Xinhua News Agency said, citing data from the government's Internet agency.

China's February figure for Internet users was a 61 percent jump over the 137 million people online reported by the government at the start of 2007.

The United States had 221 million Internet users in March, according to Nielsen/NetRatings, a leading industry measurement service.

The U.S. growth rate for users is only a few percent a year, suggesting that China's official figures for March may show it overtook the United States during the month.