April saw FDI in China increasing for the third successive month after the reverse in February ended an eight-month slump. The improvement showed the competitiveness of the Chinese economy and the recognition of global investors as the new leadership deepens economic restructuring, according to Shen Danyang, the ministry's spokesman.

Li Dongsheng, chairman of the TCL Group, a consumer electronics company, said China's manufacturing industry is suffering a modest slowdown, but it is unlikely to see a recession this year.

"Overseas markets will give more opportunities for Chinese manufacturing enterprises to solve the current excessive production capacity problem," he said.

"The European Union and some major emerging economies' trade protectionism brought more serious difficulties for Chinese exporters, while the domestic market remains stable so far."