Latest data released by China's Ministry of Commerce showed foreign direct investment in November into the world's second-largest economy tumbled to $8.76 billion, a 9.76 per cent drop from a year ago, spurred by the economic crisis in Europe and weakness in the U.S.

November's newly approved foreign ventures slid 12.9 per cent from a year earlier to 2,718, the ministry said in a statement.

FDI is classified as spending on physical assets such as factories. It does not include financial assets like stocks.

As of November's end, U.S. investment fell 23 per cent, to $2.74 billion, while investments from the European Union rose 0.3 per cent from a year ago to $5.98 billion. Asian investments grew 18 per cent to $89.6 billion.

FDI in China's central regions grew faster compared to its eastern and western areas during the first 11 months.

Central China attracted $7.07 billion in FDI, up 27.63 per cent, versus a 12.01 per cent in the east and 14.76 per cent in the west.

The country's outbound direct investment, excluding the financial sector, grew 5.2 per cent to $50.01 in the first 11 months, said ministry spokesman Shen Danyang.