Chinese outbound investment is set to increase by 70% to USD1.5 trillion over the next 10 years, according to a report by global law firm Linklaters. The outbound investment and acquisitions from China will continue to be a significant force in the coming years, as China’s long-term policies and initiatives such as “Made in China 2025” and the Belt and Road initiative have outbound deals at the core, the report said. The “Made in China 2025” strategy to guide the country’s advanced industrial manufacturing has seen steady progress in industrial capability, smart manufacturing, innovation, as well as product quality and branding. The Belt and Road initiative covers the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and aims to build a trade and infrastructure network linking Asia, America and Europe along ancient Silk Road trade routes. The report said such initiatives mean the high level of outbound investment is likely to focus on sectors such as energy infrastructure and high-end technology and electronics, which may be seen by host governments as “strategic” to national security or national interests, the Shanghai Daily reports.