Sales volume of China's online gaming industry in 2008 increased by 76.6 percent year-on-year to reach 18.38 billion yuan (US$2.69 billion), despite the global financial crisis, a senior industry official said.

Online gaming brought direct business income of 47.84 billion yuan to telecom and IT industries, reported Xinhua News Agency, citing Sun Shoushan, vice director of General Administration of Press and Publication.

Sun said the sales volume of the online gaming industry is far more than that of combined revenues generated by films, TV entertainment programs and publication of audio-visual products.

In 2008, a total of 33 online games, developed by 15 Chinese companies, were exported to 40 countries and regions, realizing an income of US$70.74 million, a 30 percent increase year-on-year, Sun said.

Sun estimated that the export volume of China's original online gaming programs is likely to exceed US$100 million in 2009.

(China Daily March 19, 2009)