(Yicai Global) May 23 -- The number of projects that China funded in Germany dropped last year from the previous one due to the nation's increasing focus on large projects. The nation ranked among the top three biggest foreign investors. 

The number of Chinese companies' investments in Germany fell 14 percent from the previous year to 188 greenfield and expansion projects, according to a report from the federal agency of Germany Trade & Invest. 

The US carried out 345 investments in Germany last year, ranking first and reaching a record high. Switzerland was second with 229 investments, the report added.

The change in the number of investments shows that Chinese companies have become more cautious about overseas investments and they focused more on large projects, GTAI Director Juergen Friedrich told Yicai Global.

The international investment in Germany last year mostly targeted commercial and financial services, accounting for more than one-fifth of all projects, followed by semiconductors and software. 

The business activity of these projects mostly was sales, marketing and support, as this category made up nearly one-third of the total number of projects, followed by business service. Manufacturing, as well as research and development, was third on the list. 

China has initiated more than 1,650 greenfield investments in Germany since 2010, making it to the top three on the list for several consecutive years.

Editor: Emmi Laine