The "2000 China Netizen Consumption Action Survey Report" published on Thursday shows that 25 percent of the users of the Internet in China's inland spend more than 20 hours online per month. While in 1999, only 5 percent of the netizens spent more than 16 hours online. Internet became popular day by day in the hinterland.

A company conducted a questionnaire and spot survey among 5,884 Internet users in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xi'an and Shenyang from September to November this year.

The result of the survey shows that most of the netizens of inland are technicians, students and management personnel. Their average age is between 22 to 27. Sending and receiving e-mails is the most important purpose of the users, and then, downloading software and information and chatting online. Although most of the netizens understand shopping online, only 17.7 percent of them like to do so.

On the basis of their analysis, investigators forecast that the age bracket of inland internet users will expand gradually, the charge of surfing the internet will be reduced due to the competition between ISPs, and in regard to internet users the transition from professionals to populace will continue, which will help create a better living space for ICPs.

(Xinhua 12/18/2000)