A report by China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) shows that the number of Internet users is increasing rapidly in east China.

By the end of 2003, the number of netizens in Shanghai reached 4.32 million, 26.6 percent of its entire population, according to the report, which ranks the city second next to Beijing.

On-line users aged from 18 to 24 account for 33.2 percent of Internet users in Shanghai, and under 18 account for 23.3 percent,and 25 to 30, 17.7 percent.

There were 6.27 million Internet users in Shandong province last year, compared to the 9.5 million in south China's Guangdong province, says the report.

Married citizens and those with higher education are more liable to have access to the Internet in Shandong, the report says.

Netizens pay around 100 yuan (about 12 US dollars) for the Internet service every month in both areas, and people spend an average of 14 hours each week surfing on the network.

On-line users from both Shanghai and Shandong agree that the most important function of the Internet is to provide information,which is frequently free. Nine Netizens out of ten believed the Internet enhances their work efficiency, study and daily life, says the report.