According to a recent survey, approximately 47% of households in Beijing were connected to the Internet by the first quarter of 2004.

Two thirds of those families chose broadband connection services, while others preferred, or were only able, to use the dial-up access. Spurred by growth in telecommunications, IT and online gaming, China's internet industry is booming.

In addition to household Internet users, the numerous Internet cafes in Chinese cities have contributed at least 15 billion yuan or US$1.8 billion annually to the country's revenue.