BEIJING - China's non-financial outbound direct investment (ODI) posted steady growth in the first three quarters of the year, data showed Wednesday.

Non-financial ODI in 164 countries and regions amounted to 555.11 billion yuan ($78.5 billion) in the period, up 3.8 percent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The pace accelerated from the 2.7-percent growth registered in the first eight months.

In September alone, China's ODI jumped 14.2 percent year-on-year to 62 billion yuan.

Chinese companies enhanced cooperation with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative during the first nine months, adding a total of $10.04 billion of new investment in 56 countries in the initiative, accounting for 12.4 percent of the total ODI.

The structure of ODI continued to improve, with investment mainly going into sectors including leasing and business services, manufacturing, wholesale and retail, according to the ministry.

No new ODI projects were reported in the sectors of real estate, sports and entertainment, the ministry said.