1, Foreign direct investment into China picked up in March, official figures showed on April 16, though outbound investment from the world’s second-largest economy slowed sharply.

FDI rose 2.2 percent year-on-year last month to $12.4 billion, the commerce ministry said, an acceleration from February’s 0.9 percent gain.

2, China’s economy expanded 7.4 percent last year, the slowest since 1990, as authorities manage a makeover of the country’s growth model they hope will place consumer demand at center stage as opposed to big ticket investment projects.

3, China has been actively acquiring foreign assets, particularly energy and resources, to power its economy, with firms encouraged to make overseas acquisitions to gain market access and international experience.

--AFP on April 16