China reported 384 million Internet users by the end of 2009, up 28.9 percent, or 86 million, from a year ago, said a report from the China Internet Network Information Center Friday.

China reported 384 million Internet users by the end of 2009, up 28.9 percent, or 86 million, from a year ago, said a report from the China Internet Network Information Center on Friday.

Internet users surfing through mobile phones increased by 120 million to top 233 million, about 60.8 percent of the total Internet population, thanks to expanding third-generation (3G) business, said the report.

About 30.7 million surf the Internet only through mobile phones, about eight percent of the total Internet users.

Internet users in the rural areas hit 106.81 million in 2009, up 26.3 percent year on year, who accounted for 27.8 percent of the total Internet users, said the report.

Online business trade soared remarkably with trade volume at 250 billion yuan (US$36.60 billion) in 2009, said the report.

The 384 million Internet users take about one third of China's 1.3 billion population.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2009)