BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Revenue from the digital publishing industry was expected to reach 53 billion yuan (7.6 billion U.S. dollars) in 2008, said a senior official with China's press and publications administration on Saturday.

    Sun Shoushan, vice director of the General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP), said the digital publishing industry included the digitalization of traditional publishing products, such as newspapers, books and cell phone text messages, and new digital media.

    Digital publishing was cheaper, more convenient and eco-friendly compared with traditional publishing, he added.

    Revenue for the industry hit 1.59 billion yuan in 2002. It had soared to 36 billion yuan by the end of 2007.

    Apart from what Sun mentioned, the digital publishing industry also covers web games and music as well as comic and animation.