ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a full-frame analysis of China's outward direct investment (ODI) activities. China has become well known as the 'World Factory', which is one of its biggest economic achievements since the 'open-door' policy was introduced in 1978. The book presents an overview of China's ODI activities from both theoretical and statistical perspectives. The purpose is to reveal the evolutionary development path of Chinese ODI and identify major trends and emerging characteristics. The book explores major policy changes after the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party. This helps us to better understand the rationale behind these policy changes and how they may affect Chinese ODI strategies. The book demonstrates the dynamics of Chinese enterprises' internationalization process, from a business practitioner's perspective: the reasons for investing overseas, Chinese firms' decision-making mind-set, the challenges facing their decisions are addressed.
