China-ASEAN investment booms in 2012  

中国与东盟投资合作快速增长

中国—东盟商务理事会中方常务副秘书长许宁宁9日在天津表示，中国—东盟自由贸易区的建成，极大地促进了中国与东盟投资合作的增长，2012年中国企业在东盟投资额较上年增长逾五成。

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.