Outbound investors take fewer risks in '17

As China's outbound investment has become less risky, the government will continue to encourage legal overseas investments, especially in projects tied to the Belt and Road Initiative, and will help with the development of domestic industries, a senior commerce official said on Monday.

Qian Keming, vice-minister of commerce, said that irrational outbound investment has effectively been curbed in the first half of the year as the country's outbound direct investment dropped by 42.9 percent year-on-year to 331.1 billion yuan ($49.2 billion).

The changes came as the government increased scrutiny of overseas investment and reined in speculative deals by Chinese companies in sectors such as property, sports and entertainment.