China has maintained its appeal to foreign investments thanks to a thriving economy and government policies to entice investors.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) rose 24.7 percent year on year to $7.35 billion in April, compared with an increase of 12.08 percent in March, said the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). This was the ninth consecutive month that witnessed FDI growth on a yearly basis.

A total of 2,047 overseas-funded companies were approved during the month, up 21.3 percent from a year earlier.

The April figure brings the FDI in the first four months to $30.79 billion, growing 20.27 percent from one year ago. At the end of March, foreign investment in China had topped $1 trillion since 1978 when China first opened its door to overseas investors, said Liu Yajun, Director of the Foreign Investment Department under the MOFCOM.

China has been one of the few countries in the world that shows an economic pulse, and provides a high level of earnings visibility to foreign investors, said Wang Lu, a senior researcher with the State Information Center.

In addition, an improving business environment has also enhanced its attractiveness to foreign investments, said Wang.

The State Council released new regulations in April to support foreign investors in hi-tech industries, services sectors, energy-saving efforts and environmental protection. It also allowed local governments to approve foreign investment projects worth up to $300 million, compared with the previous cap of $100 million.