A bustling 'net cafe in China

At the end of 2006, China's internet population was 137 million.

By the end of 2007, it soared 53 percent to 210 million, according to the China Internet Network Information Centre.

China is 5 million shy of becoming the nation with the largest internet population, according to PC World. And surprisingly, 40 percent of new users added in '07 came from rural areas. Typically "wired" Chinese citizens hail from urban areas like Beijing.

Music was the most popular online feature, with 86.6 percent Chinese going online for it. Instant messaging came in second, with 81.1 percent.

Email ranked fifth, with 56.5 percent.