Note 23 - Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Net loss attributable to ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. from continuing operations (numerator for basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations)	$ (789)	$ (1,266)	$ (1,876)	$ (2,631)
Loss from and on disposal of discontinued operation, net of income tax		$ (14)		$ (60)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Basic and diluted (in shares)	11,999,304	11,358,971	11,990,950	11,350,971
Loss per share-Basic and diluted from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.23)
Loss per share-Basic and diluted from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)				$ (0.01)