(Yicai Global) May 16 -- China's outbound investment increased 3.3 percent from the previous year to CNY233.4 billion (USD33.9 billion) in the first four months of this year, the commerce ministry said in a statement today.

Investment in countries that participate in Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road initiative amounted to USD4.6 billion. Among these, money spent on African nations rose over 40 percent, and direct investment in 16 Central and Eastern European countries rose 89 percent. The Belt and Road aims to reconnect the former Silk Road nations via pipelines, railways, highways, and maritime routes.

Editor: Emmi Laine