China's outbound direct investment in economies along the Belt and Road Initiative continued to grow in the first quarter despite the nation's ODI seeing an overall decline during the period, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

Chinese companies invested $2.95 billion in the non-financial sectors in 43 countries and regions, an increase of 5.4 percentage points year-on-year, accounting for 14.4 percent of China's total ODI, according to the ministry.

The companies made 952 outsourcing deals in 61 countries and regions. Revenue already generated from the outsourcing projects along the Belt and Road Initiative reached $14.39 billion, up 4.7 percent year-on-year.