Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except for number of shares and per share data) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 10,695		$ 15,590
Accounts receivable, net	4,444		4,319
Other receivables, net	3,631		7,811
Prepayment and deposit to suppliers	15,360		3,325
Due from related parties	324		185
Deposit for acquisitions			1,512
Contingent consideration receivables	159
Other current assets	129		31
Total current assets	34,742		32,773
Investment in and advance to equity investment affiliates	1,396		7,162
Property and equipment, net	1,902		2,010
Intangible assets, net	8,151		51
Goodwill	10,999
Deferred tax assets-non current	92
Total Assets	57,282		41,996
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable *	268	[1]	174	[1]
Advances from customers *	724	[1]	2,120	[1]
Accrued payroll and other accruals *	616	[1]	470	[1]
Due to equity investment affiliate *	220	[1]		[1]
Due to related parties *	161	[1]	291	[1]
Due to Control Group *		[1]	81	[1]
Due to director			559
Payable for acquisition *	550	[1]		[1]
Taxes payable *	5,040	[1]	2,193	[1]
Other payables *	114	[1]	10	[1]
Dividend payable	5		255
Total current liabilities	7,698		6,153
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred tax liability-non current *	1,893	[1]		[1]
Long-term borrowing from director	137		132
Total Liabilities	9,728		6,285
Equity:
Series A convertible preferred stock (US$0.001 par value; authorized 8,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding Nil and 2,877,600 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively; aggregate liquidation preference amount: $5 and $7,449, including accrued but unpaid dividends of $5 and $255, at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.			3
Common stock (US$0.001 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 22,146,540 shares and 17,102,320 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)	22		17
Additional paid-in capital	20,747		18,614
Statutory reserves	2,117		1,587
Retained earnings	16,688		14,630
Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,132		930
Total ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	41,706		35,781
Noncontrolling interests	5,848		(70)
Total equity	47,554		35,711
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 57,282		$ 41,996

[1] All of the VIEs' assets can be used to settle obligations of its primary beneficiary. Liabilities recognized as a result of consolidating these VIEs do not represent additional claims on the Company's general assets (Note 2).