Cross-border investment from China hits $7.8b

Chinese investors have invested more than $7.8 billion in global property transactions in the first four months of 2015, with Australia a major recipient of the cross-border capital, according to Knight Frank’s Australian Market insight April 2015 report. The cross-border investment has been driven by the softening of Chinese market conditions and government policy encouraging overseas investment by Chinese firms.

During 2014, Australia has seen the strongest growth in inbound real estate investment from China, with particular focus on Sydney and Melbourne. The total value of Chinese outward investment rose from $600 million in 2009 to $16.9 billion in 2014, 10 percent higher than 2013 and a 205 percent increase from 2012.

It is expected 2015 will be another record year for Chinese outward investment, with the expectation of more than $20 billion worth of investments transacting globally.

For the first time, China was the largest source of forei