Mobile internet powers app industry

China's booming mobile internet is playing an increasingly key role in supporting the growth of its mobile app industry, according to the latest annual report released on Thursday by App Annie, the US-based mobile analytics company.

According to the company's Top 52 App Publishers for 2016 list, tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd bypassed Finnish mobile gaming company Supercell Oy to become the top publisher by revenue in the world. Supercell, which topped the list for 2014 and 2015, was knocked into second place in the latest rankings.

Due to the rapid growth of the gaming sector, Chinese internet company NetEase Inc moved up to third place on the 2016 list, passing US-based Machine Zone Inc and Activision Blizzard Inc.