In recent years, 20,000 Chinese investors created more than 30,000 enterprises in 188 different countries.

This equates to outward foreign domestic investment from China being ranked second for the first time, second only to the United States.

Advances in IT and millennial expectations mean new domestic economies are emerging in China. Meanwhile, in response to slowing GDP and investment, the Chinese government is cutting excess capacity in state-owned enterprises. 

IBR insight on the Chinese economy

Growth indicators

  • Optimism in China amongst survey respondents increased to 44% from 27% in Q1 2016, in line with 46% in Q2 2015. 
  • Revenue expectations for the next 12 months levelled over the last few quarters at 24%. This is down substantially from China's long-term average of 55%.
  • A net 10% of IBR Q2 respondents expect exports to increase over the next 12 months. This is up from 4% last quarter yet down substantially from the long-term average of 20%.
  • Employment expectations for the next 12 months are zero, down from 4% in the first quarter of 2016.

Regional opportunities and challenges

  • Economic uncertainty has risen over the previous four quarters. 56% of respondents cite it as a constraint to growth.
  • The number of businesses who cite a lack of skilled workers fell to 42% from 44% in Q1 2016 and from 46% in Q4 2015. 
  • 30% of decision makers in China see automation of simple business processes as the biggest opportunity for the APAC region over the next five years.
  • 41% of decision makers see an ageing population as the region’s greatest challenge.

[1] The International Business Report (IBR), Grant Thornton International's business research programme.

Country summary graphs for China

“As more of China’s 'One Belt, One Road' strategy takes effect, outward investment will remain strong. We’ll also see much stronger collaboration between cross-border businesses in the near future."

Xu Hua, Managing partner, Grant Thornton China

Population

1,374.60

millions

GDP

10,982.80

USD (billions)

GDP per capita

7,990

USD

GDP per capita

14,107.43

USD

(PPP)