China’s documented global investment rose sharply in the first half of 2023, from a low base. Metals connected to electric vehicles drew the most interest. China’s global construction did not surge, but it takes longer to adjust.
It is sensible to see a jump after “zero-COVID” policies were lifted. China’s Ministry of Commerce, though, asserts COVID-19 was good for outbound investment. The evidence says otherwise, and official outbound investment remains exaggerated.
Chinese investment in the US is low. In contrast, American investment in China in 2022 and 2023 is largely unknown, including whether US money supported technology. This is a more important issue than China’s current global spending.