China to see higher ODI, stable FDI in 2016: Ministry

BEIJING - Foreign direct investment (FDI) in China will remain stable for 2016, while outbound direct investment (ODI) will post strong growth, the Ministry of Commerce said Monday.

FDI, which excludes investment in the financial sector, is likely to be around 785 billion yuan, or $126 billion this year, said the ministry in a statement on its website, citing a report delivered by Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng.

Total FDI for 2015 rose 6.4 percent from 2014 to $126.27 billion.

Meanwhile, China's full-year non-financial ODI is expected to stand at around 1.12 trillion yuan (about $161.17 billion), said the minister.

In 2015, China's ODI hit an all-time high of $118 billion.

FDI rose 3.9 percent year-on-year to reach 731.8 billion yuan during the January-November period this year, while ODI increased 55.3 percent year-on-year to reach $161.7 billion.

For next year, the ministry will work to further stabilize foreign trade and facilitate the healthy and orderly development of outbound investment, said Gao.

The ministry will also make efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation, promote international trade and investment facilitation and step up risk prevention in key commercial areas, he said.