China's outward direct investments increased by 10.6 percent in the first quarter

According to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, direct investments abroad increased by 10.6 percent in January-July compared to the same period last year, amounting to 71.93 billion dollars.

In the first 7 months, income from overseas investments increased by 6.3 percent y-o-y and the contract value of new investment projects increased by 0.6 percent.

In this period, investments made in the countries within the scope of the Belt and Road Initiative increased by 15.3 percent to 13.69 billion dollars and accounted for 19 percent of total investments.

Launched in 2013 with the aim of revitalizing East-West trade on the historic Silk Road route, the Belt and Road Initiative has constituted a significant share of China's overseas investments with infrastructure, transportation, communication and other connectivity projects in a geography covering 2/3 of the world's population in the last 10 years.