China's outbound direct investment by non-financial firms dropped 12.9 percent to $25.69 billion in

Services trade growth outpaces that of goods

Think services, inclusion and green

the first four months, the ministry said.

In the same period, investment in the United States rose 173.3 percent year on year, that in Russia gained 238.5 percent year on year and that in Japan went up 204.3 percent year on year.

At a press conference, Shen also said that trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will meet in the coastal city of Qingdao on Saturday to prepare for November's summit.

During the two-day meeting, trade ministers from 21 APEC economies will discuss regional economic integration, innovative reform and infrastructure.

Trade ministers meetings are in preparation for the "Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership" leaders' meeting, to be held in Beijing, 13 years after China hosted the ninth APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shanghai.

China eyes top FDI host economy globally

Uncertainty over when ODI will overtake FDI

Healthy growth in FDI sends strong vote of confidence

Investment, not austerity