China's outbound direct investment flows climbed 11.1 percent to 213.58 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, retaining its position among the world's top investors, official data showed Wednesday.
According to data jointly released by the Ministry of Commerce, the National Bureau of Statistics and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, China's investment stock stands at 3.4 trillion U.S. dollars, maintaining its position among the world's top three investors for nine straight years and accounting for 7.4 percent of global outward investment.
Spanning 18 categories of national economic sectors, outbound investment is primarily concentrated in leasing and business services, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing and finance. In recent years, capital has steadily expanded into green and low-carbon sectors, the digital economy, and green mineral resources.
By the end of 2025, Chinese investors had set up 58,000 overseas enterprises across 189 countries and regions. These entities employed 4.761 million people, including 2.965 million local hires.
In 2025, Chinese firms channeled 46.05 billion U.S. dollars of direct investment into partner countries of the Belt and Road Imitative, accounting for 21.6 percent of China's total outbound direct investment. Roughly 22,000 overseas enterprises have been established in these countries, and related investment stock has climbed to 407.25 billion U.S. dollars.
China's outbound direct investment rises 11.1 pct in 2025
China's outbound direct investment rises 11.1 pct in 2025
The WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo welcomed its first public open day on Wednesday at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, offering nearly 100 hands-on skill experiences across 300 interactive booths.
With the 48th WorldSkills Competition officially underway, the expo has transformed the center into a lively hub of skills demonstration and exchange.
Inside the China Pavilion, exhibits trace the evolution of Chinese craftsmanship from ancient times to the present, centered on the Four Great Inventions, from movable-type printing to modern communications, from the ancient compass to Beidou satellite navigation, from papermaking techniques to artificial intelligence, and from the invention of gunpowder to today's cutting-edge energy technologies. The displays illustrate the continuous journey of Chinese skills throughout the ages.
Among the hands-on experiences is the traditional "woodblock watermark printing" technique, which uses precisely carved blocks to reproduce Chinese paintings and calligraphy. Visitors can print the official WorldSkills Competition logo onto specially designed hanging scrolls as a unique souvenir.
A total of 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities from across China have brought their signature skills to the expo. The range is vast, from interactive robots representing advanced technology, to traditional crafts such as Guangxi Zhuang brocade and Hainan coconut carving. Walking through the exhibition, visitors can witness ancient mastery of exquisite craftsmanship brought to life side by side with creative innovations of the digital age.
Companies are demonstrating their latest technologies and products, highlighting the role of skills in industry and everyday life and showcasing how talent is cultivated from the shop floor up. Dedicated hands-on zones invite participants to get directly involved, whether it is practicing traditional crafts, testing skills similar to those used in the competition, trying digital dental restoration, controlling robots, or creating 3D-printed items.
The expo also features international pavilions and global skills partner exhibits, bringing together achievements from around the world and encouraging the shared exploration in skills development.
This year's WorldSkills Competition events will conclude on Sunday.
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Expo opens to public
