China's internet user base reached 1.125 billion by December 2025, with the internet penetration rate exceeding 80 percent, according to the 57th Statistical Report on Internet Development in China.

The report was released on Thursday by the China Internet Network Information Center, which said that the benefits of digital development are spreading to a wider cross-section of society.

China's digital economy continues steady growth, with the core digital sector's value added rising to 10.5 percent of GDP, and 602 million users engaging with generative artificial intelligence (AI) by year-end, underscoring AI's deepening role in daily life and work.

The report highlights innovation-led internet development and forward-looking digital infrastructure deployment, with advanced mobile and fixed networks and enlarged computing capacity laying a robust digital foundation.

Internet adoption is becoming more inclusive. With internet penetration exceeding 80 percent, rural residents and older adults are joining the digital society at a faster pace, reflected in rising connectivity and usage rates across demographic groups.

Emerging technologies such as AI are deeply empowering industries and contributing to a shift from scale-driven growth toward value-oriented expansion in China's global industrial engagement.