Note 26 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss)/income attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share)	$ (668)	$ 30
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - Basic	22,376,540	22,186,540
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -Diluted	22,376,540	22,186,540
(Loss)/earnings per share-Basic	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00
(Loss)/earnings per share-Diluted	$ (0.03)	$ 0.00