At first glance, a 6.2% rise in outbound direct investment (ODI) may seem modest. But when the Chinese mainland pushed its Q1 2025 ODI to $40.9 billion, with non-financial projects up 4.4% to $35.68 billion, it's clear a strategic shift is underway.
BRI-linked investments soared 15.6% to $8.87 billion, signalling a renewed focus on infrastructure and connectivity across the Global South. Meanwhile, industrial enterprises above designated size saw profits rise 0.8% to 1.51 trillion yuan (around $207 billion).
These numbers challenge the Peak China narrative. Despite whispers of economic headwinds – youth unemployment, property slowdowns, and muted domestic spending – the Chinese mainland's capital is moving abroad, forging new partnerships and market opportunities.
Investing overseas isn't just about capital outflow; it's a strategic play to deepen ties in emerging markets. Chinese firms are winning more contracts abroad: overseas project revenue climbed 5.5% to $34.18 billion, and new overseas contracts jumped 26% to $58.67 billion in Q1 alone.
What's behind this momentum? Consistent policy support. The Chinese premier and financial institutions have maintained alignment, fueling projects that blend economic returns with diplomatic reach. By prioritizing countries in the Global South, the Chinese mainland avoids volatility in mature Western markets and partners on equal footing with local needs.
For young global citizens and business innovators, these trends signal fresh opportunities. From digital infrastructure in Africa to renewable energy in Southeast Asia, the Chinese mainland's ODI is quietly reshaping the world map – one port, power plant, and highway at a time.
As the Chinese mainland's investments ripple across continents, one thing is clear: the future of global influence is being redrawn off the beaten path.
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China's ODI surge signals a quiet redrawing of global influence
cgtn.com
