Chinese Outbound Investments in Australia

Now that Australia’s central bank has just announced plans to invest about 5% of its foreign currency reserves in China, it is relevant to remember how important China has become for Australian economy. Chinese investment in Australia has risen more than five-fold since 2006 and reached about A$20 billion at the end of 2011. A significant share of the growth in Chinese investment in Australia thus far has been largely in the resources sector, although recently there has been some diversification, including into the services and real estate sectors.