Note 10 - Long-term Investments - Movement in Cost Method Investments (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Beijing Saturday [Member]
Cost method investments, balance	$ 17
Investments during the year
Exchange translation adjustment
Cost method investments, balance	17
Chuangshi Meiwei [Member]
Cost method investments, balance	154
Investments during the year
Exchange translation adjustment	(4)
Cost method investments, balance	150
Guohua Shiji [Member]
Cost method investments, balance	3
Investments during the year	26
Exchange translation adjustment
Cost method investments, balance	29
ChinaNet Chuang Tou [Member]
Cost method investments, balance	939
Investments during the year	434
Exchange translation adjustment	(27)
Cost method investments, balance	1,346
ChinaNet Korea [Member]
Investments during the year	8
Cost method investments, balance	8
Cost method investments, balance	1,113
Investments during the year	468
Exchange translation adjustment	(31)
Cost method investments, balance	$ 1,550