Note 17 - Taxation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2015
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%	35.00%
Increase (Decrease) in Amount of Toll Charge Income From the Act	$ 460
Amount of Toll Charge Income From the Act	1,860	$ 1,400
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total	$ 0
Income Tax Withholding Rate Pursuant to EIT Law	10.00%
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	$ 19,200	13,300
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Taxable Income Deduction Limitations	80.00%
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Total	$ 9,875	6,636
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability	1,900
Deferred Tax Assets, Bad Debts Provision [Member]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount	$ 3,500	$ (90)
Minimum [Member]
PRC Value Added Tax Surcharge Rate	12.00%
Maximum [Member]
PRC Value Added Tax Surcharge Rate	14.00%
PRC [Member]
PRC Value Added Tax Rate for Modern Service Provided	6.00%	6.00%
PRC [Member] | Provision of Modern Services Small Scale Tax Payer [Member]
PRC Value Added Tax Rate for Modern Service Provided Small Scale Tax Payer	3.00%	3.00%
Tax Treaty Agreement [Member]
Income Tax Withholding Rate Pursuant to EIT Law	5.00%
HONG KONG
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total	$ 0
Profits Assessable	0
ChinaNet BVI [Member]
Other Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 0
Other PRC Operating Entities [Member] | PRC [Member]
Applicable Income Tax Rate	25.00%
Business Opportunity Online [Member] | PRC [Member]
Applicable Income Tax Rate	15.00%
Business Opportunity Online [Member] | PRC [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Enterprise Income Tax Rate In PRC			15.00%
PRC Subsidiary And VIE's [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Total	$ 25,200	$ 19,900