Fewer than 10% of the Chinese investors, who are planning substantial expansion in their foreign investments during the next five years, are eyeing Canadian opportunities, a new survey reports.

According to the springtime poll of 296 Chinese businesses by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, more than 40% reported plans to invest overseas in the next two to five years, with 23% intending to invest in new opportunities during the next year. 14% said they currently have overseas investments, most of them made during the past six years.

However, only about 8% said they are considering investing in Canada, with more than 40% reporting that they lacked sufficient information about Canadian investment opportunities. About 4% per cent said they already have investment projects in Canada and another 6% said they had considered investing in Canada in the past, but had opted not to go ahead.

China’s overseas investment of US$5.5-billion in 2004 is expected to increase significantly in coming years, the survey said.