As China’s economy matures, there has been a shift in the country’s outbound FDI focus as global market influence and brand awareness become drivers of investment. 

The sheer size of China's population means it is not just the country's bigger cities that have populations in the millions. Now the provincial capitals are proving they are worthy of overseas investment.

Part of China's shift away from manufacturing and towards more value-added sectors has seen it focus more on innovation and design. With an exponential rise in the number of Chinese students taking creative arts courses and a record number of design patents registered in recent years, it seems as if the country's creative juices are really starting to flow.

Allegations of corruption have dealt a blow to several international pharmaceutical companies operating in China. Despite this, the long-term prognosis for the industry remains good, with huge growth potential in what is set to become the world's second largest drugs market by 2016.

The Chinese city of Wuxi is developing fast, plotting an innovative course towards a hi-tech, low-carbon economy. But while business leaders and officials line up to praise the city's rich promise, is it in a position to deliver?

The Chinese city of Tianjin may lie in the shadow of investment behemoths Beijing and Shanghai, but it is still at the forefront of the country’s high-tech focus, with the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area central to its strong FDI appeal.

The Chinese city of Wuhan may have its economic roots in heavy industry, but it is now looking to new sectors higher up the value chain to improve efficiency and foster growth. 

The city of Suzhou may be dwarfed by nearby Shanghai, but that has not stopped it from outperforming its neighbour when it comes to attracting investment, thanks largely to its appetite for innovation and willingness to embrace cutting-edge technology, particularly within its industrial parks.

The inland Chinese city of Changsha has seen impressive double-digit economic growth in the past two decades as it reaps the rewards of its ambitious pro-business policies. But the challenge of sustaining growth remains, as the city competes for investment with other cities from China and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.