Foreign spending on factories and other non-inancial assets hit $10 billion, the ministry announced. The monthly growth rate was up from December’s 15.6 percent rate and 2010’s full-year rate of 17 percent.

Foreign investment in China plunged after the global crisis hit in 2008 but rebounded strongly last year as companies rushed to take advantage of the country’s quick recovery.

China is a top investment destination and says foreign direct investment last year totaled $105.7 billion. FDI does not include investment in stocks and other financial assets.