A bank staff member checks RMB banknotes at a bank in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 7, 2016. Photo:Xinhua

 
The increase in overseas institutions' holdings of Chinese interbank bonds is a vote of confidence for China's economy from foreign investors, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday.

Wang made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to a question about the latest bonds holding data.

As of the end of 2021, overseas institutions held 4 trillion yuan ($628 billion) of Chinese interbank bonds, an increase of about 750 billion yuan from the end of 2020, according to China's central bank.

Last year, China continued to consolidate its COVID-19 containment and its social and economic development achievements, enabling a good start to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), Wang stated.

Multiple international organizations put China's annual economic growth in 2021 at around 8 percent year-on-year, higher than China's official target of above 6 percent as well as estimated growth rates for other major economies, Wang said, noting that China's economic rebound would continue to take the lead in the world.

Wang said that many foreign firms operating in the country are bullish on the Chinese economy's prospects and have plans to increase investment in China. 

This indicates China's economic resilience and vitality, and shows foreign businesses' confidence in China's future development, Wang said.
 
The economic fundamentals that will sustain long-term growth remain unchanged, and China's resolve to expand higher-level opening-up and share its development opportunities with the world won't change, the spokesperson said.

China will more proactively integrate into the financial market and join the efforts to build an open international economy, injecting vigorous impetus into global economic recovery, he said. 

Global Times