China's largest instant messaging service provider Tencent Holding said its first-quarter profit surged 72 percent from a year ago on a strong increase in sales of online games.

Net income reached 1.78 billion yuan (US$261 million), or 0.96 yuan per share, and revenue over the same period jumped 68 percent to 4.23 billion yuan.

Income from its Internet value-added services, including online games and QQ-related subscription fees, jumped 78 percent annually to 3.39 billion yuan.

Chairman Ma Huateng predicted the online advertising business will benefit from the Shanghai World Expo and World Cup.