(Yicai) Oct. 13 -- Germany's actual investment in China rose 21 percent in the first eight months from a year earlier, according to the spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce.

German companies have increased their investment in China, particularly those in the motor equipment and chemical manufacturing fields, which soared 172 percent and 91 percent, respectively, in the eight months ended Aug. 31 from the same period last year, He Yadong said at a press conference yesterday.

Despite the increasing uncertainties about global economic growth, many senior executives of multinational companies have visited China since the beginning of the year to find new investment and cooperation opportunities and continue to expand their business layouts in China.

"We have given full play to the role of work groups for key foreign-funded projects at all levels and helped companies solve difficulties and problems in development, operation, and project delivery," He noted. "China's special policies of establishing foreign-funded research and development centers, attracting manufacturing investment, and formulating a catalog to encourage industries to receive foreign investment over the past year are beginning to show results," He added.

Over 33,150 foreign-invested companies were established in China in the first eight months of the year, up 33 percent from a year earlier, according to the latest data from the commerce ministry. The actual use of foreign capital in high-tech manufacturing jumped nearly 20 percent in the period.

In terms of further opening the market, the MOFCOM will continue to reasonably shorten the negative lists for foreign investment, study the feasibility of further easing or lifting restrictions on the share of foreign-owned equity, and attract more global production factors into the Chinese market, He pointed out.

Editor: Futura Costaglione