Note 8 - Long-term Investments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments	$ 782	$ 753
Shenzhen Mingshan [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	23.18%	23.18%
Zhao Shang Ke Hubei [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	25.50%	25.50%
Shenzhen Mingshan and Zhao Shang Ke Hubei [Member]
Equity Method Investments			$ 0
ChinaNet Chuang Tou [Member]
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage	19.00%	19.00%
Cost-method Investments, Other than Temporary Impairment	$ 470
Chuangshi Meiwei [Member]
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage	10.00%	10.00%
ChinaNet Korea [Member]
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage	15.00%	15.00%
Guohua Shiji [Member]
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage	19.00%	19.00%
Beijing Saturday [Member]
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage	10.00%	10.00%