China Jan.-Oct. outbound investment falls amid crackdown

BEIJING — China’s non- financial outbound direct investment from January to October fell 40.9% year on year to $ 86.31 billion, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday as authorities bear down on what they say are speculative foreign ventures.

Outbound investment in October fell 29.6% year on year to $8.28 billion, Reuters calculated from official data, narrowing from a 42.5% year- on-year decline in September.

Overseas investment by Chinese firms has fallen sharply since Beijing implemented strict controls on capital leaving the country.

China said it continues to encourage genuine overseas deals but has vowed to limit investment in overseas property, hotels, entertainment, sports clubs and film industries it suspects is more speculative and aimed at circumventing tight capital controls.

Top government officials have recently stressed that China is looking to step up its outbound investment, and is encouraging firms to expand globally as the country looks to play a larger role in the global economy.

Investment in countries involved in China’s Belt and Road initiative, an extensive infrastructure plan meant to link Asia with the Middle East and Europe, totaled $ 11.18 billion in the first 10 months of the year, the Ministry of Commerce said.

Belt and Road deals accounted for 13% of total investments, up from 8.3% of all deals in the yearago period, the Ministry of Commerce said. —