- Overseas investors are predicted to invest a mere RMB5 bn in Shanghai for en-bloc industrial and residential properties this year, state media reports. In 2008, property investment from outside of China totalled RMB15 bn.

- China should spend RMB20 bn on its internet network infrastructure, such as FTTH (fiber-to-the-home), broadband Internet access and Internet security to keep up with international markets, state media reports.

- Lending to SMEs accounted for 51.9 per cent of total enterprise loans in 2008, China's Central Bank said. The exact figure was not provided but the report said that in January 2009, Chinese banks issued RMB1.62 trillion in new loans, up 101 per cent year on year.
- Venture capital, private equity funds and strategic investors invested a total of RMB4.97 bn in 20 companies in China in February. This is 63 per cent less than in the same period in 2008, according to a report by consulting firm Eternal Zenith Capital.

- Chinese companies will increase overseas mergers and acquisitions in the next 12 months as the economic downturn presents new opportunities, a survey of the Royal Bank of Scotland shows. 63 per cent of the 106 respondents expected the level of Chinese outbound M&A to increase, with businesses in Asia, North America and Europe identified as the prime targets.

- The number of search engine users in China reached 203 million at the end of 2008, up 33.6 per cent year on year, Interfax reports.