ChinaNet Online Holdings' Subsidiary Liansuo.com Signs New Customer

BEIJING, Feb. 20, 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 Super 8 International Limited ("Super 8"), a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide, has chosen Liansuo.com, a subsidiary of ChinaNet, to help expand its franchise outside the U.S.

Founded in 1974, Super 8 International Limited is one of the largest economy hotel operators in the world. Super 8 operates more than 2,600 hotels worldwide, representing over 56,000 rooms in total. Liansuo.com will help Super 8 franchise hotels quickly expand its franchise footprint in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China.

Mr. George Chu, COO of ChinaNet explained, "We are excited to work with an industry leader. The tremendous growth in tourism in China provides an opportunity for established brands such as Super 8 to expand their presence, particularly in larger cities where economy hotels are in short supply. Liansuo.com will help Super 8 identify potential franchise operators throughout China, as well as build a strong brand through traditional and online marketing."

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

         Tel: +1-760-755-2716

         Email: thaberfield@mzgroup.us

         Web: www.mzgroup.us

News Provided by Acquire Media