Foreign Investment In China Jumps 7 Percent

BEIJING (AP) -- Foreign direct investment in China rebounded in August, rising 7 percent from a year earlier after plunging over the previous two months, the Commerce Ministry reported Tuesday.

Investment in manufacturing and other nonfinancial assets totaled $7.5 billion in August, ministry spokesman Yao Jian said at a news conference. The figure does not include stocks and other financial assets.

The growth compared with declines of 35.7 percent in July and 6.8 percent in June.

China's economic growth rose to 7.9 percent over a year earlier in the quarter ending June 30, up from 6.1 percent the previous quarter, and analysts say the recovery is gathering strength. Retail spending and industrial investment are rising.

China is a top investment destination but double-digit growth rates plunged in late 2007 as foreign companies were hit by the global downturn and cut spending. But many have continued to invest in China to take advantage of its stronger economic growth compared with other countries.