Foreign direct investment into China is falling across multiple measures, adding to pressure on Beijing and local governments as they seek to counter an economic slowdown.
Financial Times calculations based on Chinese commerce ministry data compiled by Wind show that FDI fell 34 per cent to Rmb72.8bn ($10bn) year on year in September, the biggest decline since monthly figures became available in 2014.
The weakness in FDI has been part of a steady march of disappointing economic readings since China lifted pandemic restrictions at the start of the year. While FDI leapt 15 per cent in January on the previous year, it has recorded double-digit percentage declines every month since May.