The latest figures for online spending are astounding. It makes you wonder what these Chinese online spenders are buying on the Internet these days. In a country that is known for mass production and low selling prices, it is interesting to note that books are the second most purchased products online, next to electronic devices.

The jump in book sales is closely linked to the profile of the average Chinese online buyer. An Internet user who buys online is young and affluent. ...

There’s a new breed of Chinese entrepreneurs that is slowly changing the face of e-commerce in China. And they’re expected to reach a million in China. These are entrepreneurs who use the Internet largely for buying and selling to a world market. They do not hold fancy titles or company designations. They do not maintain expensive office spaces or retail stores in prime commercial areas. They believe in buying cheap and selling low to generate quick cash flows.

The key...

Around 24 million Chinese people are now using online payment processing (this represents almost 22.5% of the population), and online banking is used by over 23%. These figures reflect a 71.7% growth in the 12 months to June 2008.

Online education in China is used by 46.69 million people. The Chinese are looking to access online resources to improve themselves – information marketers take note!

It is hardly surprising that it is the city-dwelling, educated Chinese...