China's online population rises to 538 million

An industry group says China's fast-growing population of Internet users has risen to 538 million people, driven by the rapid growth of mobile web surfing.

An industry group says China's fast-growing population of Internet users has risen to 538 million people, driven by the rapid growth of mobile web surfing.

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The China Internet Network Information Center report released on Thursday shows the number of Internet users is up 11% over the figure reported for the same time last year.

The government-sanctioned group said the number of people who go online from mobile phones and other wireless devices rose to 388 million.

That was up 22% from a year earlier.

China's ruling party encourages Internet use for business and education but tries to block access to material considered subversive or obscene.