China's Internet users number rises to 700 millionJanuary 22, 2016 - 16:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China's Internet users -- already by far the world's most numerous -- rose to nearly 700 million last year, authorities said Friday, Jan 22, more than twice the population of the United States, AFP reports. Beijing imposes strict controls on online content, while e-commerce is a vital part of its efforts to transform the economy into one driven more by consumer demand. The Asian giant's Internet population -- defined as those who have gone online at least once in the past six months -- stood at 688 million at the end of 2015, up 39.5 million year-on-year, according to the government's China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC). The figure accounts for more than half the people in the world's most populous country. More than 90 percent had gone online through their mobile phones, CNNIC reported, while two-thirds had used desktop computers and nearly 40 percent laptops. Several Chinese tech firms, led by Jack Ma's Alibaba, have become multi-billion-dollar giants in recent years as the country's online population has boomed. At the same time Beijing blocks websites it deems politically sensitive in a system dubbed the "Great Firewall of China", and social media companies censor user-generated content. Related links: Top stories Yerevan will host the 2024 edition of the World Congress On Information Technology (WCIT). Rustam Badasyan said due to the lack of such regulation, the state budget is deprived of VAT revenues. Krisp’s smart noise suppression tech silences ambient sounds and isolates your voice for calls. Gurgen Khachatryan claimed that the "illegalities have been taking place in 2020." Partner news Most popular in the section | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |