ChinaNet Online Holdings Passes Audit for High Tech Enterprises

BEIJING, March 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET) (the "Company" or "ChinaNet"), a leading B2B (business to business) Internet technology company focusing on providing online-to-offline ("O2O") sales channel expansion services for small businesses (so-called small and medium-sized enterprises ("SMEs") in China) and entrepreneurial management and LINK services for entrepreneurs in the People's Republic of China, today announced that the Beijing Zhongguancun Enterprises Credit Promotion Association (ECPA) completed a credit audit for the company. ChinaNet was awarded a high grade, which makes the Company eligible to receive future subsidies and funding from the State Development Bank, local governments and related entities.

Beijing Zhongguancun Enterprises Credit Promotion Association is an independent entity established by various high-tech enterprises in 2003 to promote members complying with the laws and regulations and national policies and to strengthen cooperation between members. The credit audit is conducted by Beijing Credit Ratings Co., Ltd, which is certified by the Beijing Zhongguancun government and covers the areas of internal controls, financial statements and credit and working capital management. Various local financial institutions, insurance and intermediary service agencies and regulators use this audit as a part of their analysis of individual company's financial strength.

"Our favorable audit results from ECPA are a testament to our financial stability and business potential. Lenovo also received the same grade as we did," said Mr. George Chu, COO of ChinaNet. "We have diversified our revenues and strengthened our brands while maintaining a strong balance sheet. As we add new customers and services, we expect to generate growth in our top and bottom line."

About ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.

The Company, a parent company of ChinaNet Online Media Group Ltd., incorporated in the BVI ("ChinaNet"), is a leading B2B (business to business) Internet technology company focusing on providing O2O (online to offline) sales channel expansion service for small businesses (or so-called small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China) and entrepreneurial management and LINK service for entrepreneurs in China. The Company, through certain contractual arrangements with operating companies in the PRC, provides Internet advertising and other services for Chinese small businesses via its portal websites, 28.com, Liansuo.com and Chuangye.com (for entrepreneurs' Linking services), TV commercials and program production via China-Net TV, and in-house LCD advertising on banking kiosks targeting Chinese banking patrons. Website: http://www.chinanet-online.com.

Safe Harbor

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc., which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including business uncertainties relating to government regulation of our industry, market demand, reliance on key personnel, future capital requirements, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on ChinaNet's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting ChinaNet will be those anticipated by ChinaNet. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. ChinaNet undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

CONTACT: MZ North America

         Ted Haberfield, President

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         Email: thaberfield@mzgroup.us

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