China now has over 500 million internet users

New figures reveal the number of internet users in China crossed the half billion mark for the first time in late 2011.

According to figures released by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) and published by Techworld, the total number of internet users in China reached 513 million as of December 2011.

Given China recorded a total population of 1.33 billion during the 2010 census, the figures mean China is rapidly approaching having half of its population online.

The number of users accessing the internet through mobile devices has also increased to 355 million.

However, some analysts remain sceptical about the figures, pointing out that the CNNIC is a not-for-profit organisation with links to the Chinese Government.