The online gaming industry in China had a turnover of 25.8 billion yuan (3.79 billion U.S. dollars) in 2009, an increase of 39.5 percent over 2008, said a white paper issued by the Information Office of the State Council Tuesday.

According to the paper, titled "The Internet in China", the Internet helped promote the development of the culture industry in the country.

Online gaming, animation, music and videos are emerging rapidly, greatly multiplying the overall strength of the Chinese culture industry, it said.

In the past five years, the average annual increase rate of online advertisement has maintained a level of 30 percent, with its turnover reaching 20 billion yuan (2.94 billion U.S. dollars) in 2009.

According to the paper, the Internet has become an engine promoting the economic development of China.

"IT including the Internet and its industry has made significant contributions to the rapid growth of the Chinese economy," it said.

In the past 16 years, the average growth rate of the added value of Chinese IT industry grew at over 26.6 percent annually, with its proportion in the national economy increasing from less than 1 percent to 10 percent.

"The Chinese government encourages the use of the Internet in ways which aim to promote economic and social progress," the paper said.

It said the Chinese government will vigorously promote the development of websites featuring e-commerce and education, advocate the development of emerging media such as online radio and online television to satisfy the diversified, multi-leveled needs of information consumption.