Chinese firms maintain steady momentum in outbound investment in 2025: survey

BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Outbound investment by Chinese companies grew steadily in 2025, with nearly 80 percent of surveyed firms maintaining or expanding their investments abroad, according to a report by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

Covering over 1,200 Chinese companies engaged in outbound investment, the survey reveals that nearly 90 percent are optimistic about the prospects of overseas investment, said Wang Wenshuai, a spokesperson with the council, at a press conference on Wednesday.

The survey also indicates that 60 percent of the companies reported steady or increased profitability from their outbound investment. Close to half of the respondents expressed interest in forming industry consortiums for collective overseas expansion, with the manufacturing sector being a priority for investment.

Notably, 90 percent of the surveyed enterprises showed heightened willingness to use the renminbi (RMB) in their cross-border investment activities.

Data from the Ministry of Commerce showed that China's outbound direct investment reached 174.38 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, up 7.1 percent from a year earlier and remaining among the world's top ranks.

Wang stated that the council will coordinate its nationwide network to refine specialized mechanisms for supporting enterprises going global. Efforts will concentrate on improving comprehensive services and safeguards to help companies navigate international markets steadily and sustainably.

Meanwhile, nearly 60 percent of foreign-invested enterprises in China plan to increase their investment in the country, Wang said, citing recent results of the China Business Climate Survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

More than half of all companies that responded to the survey reported profitable or very profitable business operations in China over the past year, and over 70 percent said they have not considered moving production or procurement outside of China.

These results underscore the continued appeal of the Chinese market as a fertile ground for foreign investment, Wang said.

The fourth China International Supply Chain Expo -- slated for June this year -- has already secured the participation of a number of foreign companies, including many Fortune 500 firms, Wang noted.