Healthy growth in FDI sends strong vote of confidence

The Royal Bank of Scotland predicted China's economy would grow 8.2 percent this year, up from 7.7 per cent in 2013, making it Asia's fastest-growing economy.

China's comprehensive reforms, launched late last year, greatly enhanced the willingness of overseas enterprises to invest as the economic restructuring measures helped expand domestic demand and improve the investment environment, the ministry spokesman said.

"The comprehensive advantage of attracting FDI is looming with huge potential in domestic demand, increasing talent supply and improving industrial facilities," Shen said.

FDI in China's service sector jumped 57 percent year-on-year to $6.33 billion in January, highlighting the government's efforts to open up the sector, Shen said. FDI inflow in manufacturing continued to fall behind and dropped 21.7 percent to $3.47 billion.

"We expect FDI to maintain sound momentum this year," Shen said. "The FDI inflows into high-end manufacturing, modern services and energy saving and environmental industries will benefit China's industrial restructuring and improve the efficiency of FDI."

More Chinese enterprises are tapping overseas markets. In January, China's outbound direct investment into non-financial sectors hit $7.23 billion, up 47.2 percent year-on-year, according to the ministry.

Despite strained political ties, investment in Japan soared 500 percent year-on-year in January, probably supported by large projects, Shen said. China's investment in Russia jumped 281 percent, and that in the US went up 14 percent.

Dai Tian contributed to this story.

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