[THE INVESTOR] Korean firms have been increasing their stakes in the all-important Chinese market, with their combined investment exceeding 3.24 trillion won (US$2.84 billion) in the first half of this year, government data showed on July 26. 

The figure is up 17.8 percent from a year ago. For the year, total investment is expected to surpass US$5 billion -- the highest-ever since 2004.

Japanese companies, on the other hand, reduced investment in China from US$73 billion in 2012 to US$3.21 billion won last year.
It marked the first time for the figure to fall below 40 percent.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)