Note 10 - Long-term Investments - Movement in Cost Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cost method investments, balance	$ 1,113	$ 18
Investment during the year	451	1,096
Exchange translation adjustment	(72)	(1)
Cost method investments, balance	1,340	1,113
Impairment on cost method investments	(152)
ChinaNet Korea [Member]
Cost method investments, balance
Investment during the year	8
Exchange translation adjustment
Cost method investments, balance
Impairment on cost method investments	(8)
Beijing Saturday [Member]
Cost method investments, balance	17	18
Investment during the year
Exchange translation adjustment	(1)	(1)
Cost method investments, balance	16	17
Impairment on cost method investments
Chuangshi Meiwei [Member]
Cost method investments, balance	154
Investment during the year		154
Exchange translation adjustment	(10)
Cost method investments, balance		154
Impairment on cost method investments	(144)
Guohua Shiji [Member]
Cost method investments, balance	3
Investment during the year	25	3
Exchange translation adjustment	(1)
Cost method investments, balance	27	3
Impairment on cost method investments
ChinaNet Chuang Tou [Member]
Cost method investments, balance	939
Investment during the year	418	939
Exchange translation adjustment	(60)
Cost method investments, balance	1,297	$ 939
Impairment on cost method investments