FDI Showed Decline      

China's foreign direct investment (FDI) for 2008 achieved US$92.4 billion, an annual increase of 23.58%, the Ministry of Commerce released in January 2009.
   The number of newly-opened foreign-funded firms amounted to 27 514 in 2008, down 27.35% year-on-year.
   The monthly FDI in December 2008 declined 5.73% year-on-year to US$5.98 billion, the third monthly decline from October.
    A report of the Chinese Academy of Social Science indicated China experienced severe capital outflow in the fourth quarter of 2008.
   Roughly US$25 billion flowed out of the country in December 2008. The capital outflow is estimated at ranging US$120 billion to US$150 billion in the fourth quarter of 2008.
   Analysts say that China has attracted an inflow of speculative capital over the past three years due to RMB appreciation against US dollar. However RMB with respect to the US dollar has dwindled over the past months, which triggered capital escape.