China’s internet companies posted rising overall revenue in 2021 despite regulatory hurdles caused by a government crackdown on the sector, according to official data.
From January to November last year, business revenues and operating profits maintained rapid growth, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said.
Total revenues exceeded 1.4 trillion yuan ($219 billion) , a year-on-year increase of 22.3%, while operating profits totalled 128 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.8%.
While eastern China still accounts for the bulk of revenues, the ministry said the less-developed western regions grew faster.
Audio and video, online gaming and news content posted the highest growth, according to the ministry. However, the growth of applications was minimal, given more intense government scrutiny.
The total number of mobile apps officially registered was 2.72 million. In November, 120,000 titles were added to app stores and 120,000 removed.
The number of gaming apps reached 687,000, accounting for 25% of all apps.
Chinese smartphone users have seen the total number of apps available to them fall by 38.5% in the past three years, the South China Morning Post reported last month.
The steepest decline occurred in 2021 amid crackdowns on Big Tech platforms and internet content.
- George Russell
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