Chinese overseas investment rises 27% in 2004
Chinese companies invested $3.6 billion overseas in non-financial sectors in 2004, a 27% increase, China's Ministry of Commerce reports. China's direct overseas investment totaled $37 billion last year. The Ministry indicated that Chinese companies made nearly half of their investments to Latin America and some 40% to the other parts of Asia. The prime areas of investment included mining, commercial services, manufacturing, wholesale and retail sales.