A man gets on the internet on the moblie phone in this 2014 file photo. China is now home to the world's largest online population. [Photo/IC]

2016

Since China's first email saying, "Across the Great Wall we can reach every corner of the world" was sent on Sept 14, 1987, the country has witnessed exponential growth in the use of the internet.

By the end of last year, China had 688 million netizens, or the world's largest online population, according to the China Internet Network Information Center.

The internet has changed people's lives forever. It is seen by authorities as a new engine of economic growth.

Last year, the government unveiled the Internet Plus strategy to integrate mobile internet, cloud computing and big data with traditional industries.

The Ministry of Commerce said in its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) that the value of e-commerce transactions is expected to reach 43.8 trillion yuan ($6.55 trillion) by 2020, with an annual growth rate of about 15 percent.

Last year, the transactions were worth 16.4 trillion yuan.

Infographics: Evolution of the internet in China