China-ASEAN investment booms in 2012  

中國與東盟投資合作快速增長

中國—東盟商務理事會中方常務副秘書長許寧寧9日在天津表示，中國—東盟自由貿易區的建成，極大地促進了中國與東盟投資合作的增長，2012年中國企業在東盟投資額較上年增長逾五成。

Tianjin (CNS) — China and ASEAN nations have witnessed increased investment cooperation since the Free Trade Area (FTA) was launched at the beginning of 2010, said Xu Ningning, executive secretary general of the China-ASEAN Business Council, on Thursday.

As of the end of 2012, Chinese businesses had invested 23.6 billion US dollars in ASEAN countries. Among all the investments, non-finance foreign-direct investment by Chinese businesses totaled 4.419 billion US dollars, up by 52 percent compared to the same period the previous year, said Xu.

ASEAN countries have emerged as the most preferred investment destination for Chinese businesses that want to make good use of the FTA, said Xu.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership. The two sides will carry out a series of activities in the fields of economy, culture, education, and tourism to strengthen communication and exchange between China and ASEAN, said Xu.

Seminars, expositions, and investment fairs will also be held this year to promote the establishment of a long-term investment mechanism between the two sides, Xu added.