The value of Chinese mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in Belt and Road economies more than quadrupled to USD9.9 billion in 2016 from USD2.3 billion in 2014. The energy, power and raw material sectors were the most popular targets among Chinese buyers, while U.S. companies aimed for deals in the finance sector, and the Japanese preferred the industrial and raw material sectors, according to a report by Thomson Reuters. Kazakhstan, Russia, Israel, Singapore and Egypt were the top M&A destinations for Chinese companies. The total value of M&As in Kazakhstan by Chinese companies from 2000 to 2016 totaled USD9.3 billion, accounting for 20.9% of the total value during the period. The report said compared with U.S. deals, the value of a single M&A transaction by a Chinese company is usually bigger. Guo Libo, Research Head of ChinaVenture Group, said Chinese companies’ mergers and acquisitions in Belt and Road economies will continue to be active this year with government support. “But attracting private capital and local capital to Belt and Road investments remains to be an issue,” Guo added, as reported by the China Daily.