BEIJING -- China's mobile map clients reached 229 million at the end of June 2012, according to a report released by market researcher Analysys International on Tuesday.

The figure is a 33-percent increase compared with that of the previous quarter, and a sharp rise of 206 percent from with the corresponding period in 2011, said the report.

Nearly 50 percent of mobile Internet users experienced the use of mobile map applications in the country, said the report.

Major mobile map application providers will soon enter a decisive phase in competing for market share in China, said Yan Xiaojia, an analyst with Analysys International.

In the second half 2012, overseas mobile map giants such as the Apple, Amazon and Google will strive to compete in the Chinese market. And this will put a great pressure on domestic mobile map application providers, said Yan.