Note 9 - Long-term Investments (Details) - Movement of Investment in and Advance to Equity Investment Affiliates - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance				$ 891,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	$ (4,000)	$ 107,000		(2,000)	$ 49,000
Investment in equity investment affiliates				20,000
Exchange translation adjustment				(34,000)
Balance	875,000			875,000
ChinaNet Korea [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in equity investment affiliates				20,000
Balance	20,000			20,000
Shenzhen Mingshan [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance				461,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates	(4,000)		$ (2,000)	(2,000)
Exchange translation adjustment				(18,000)
Balance	441,000			441,000
Zhao Shang Ke Hubei [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Balance				430,000
Share of losses in equity investment affiliates		$ (107,000)			$ (51,000)
Exchange translation adjustment				(16,000)
Balance	$ 414,000			$ 414,000