China's foreign direct investment (FDI) rose 19.6 percent to 51.43 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of the year, a senior official with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.

Liu Yajun, director of the MOC's Foreign Investment Administration Department, said at a press briefing that in June alone, China's FDI rose 39.6 percent year on year to 12.51 billion U.S. dollars.

That marked the 11th straight month that China has seen year on year growth in FDI.

The government approved the establishment of more than 12,400 overseas-funded ventures in the first six months of the year, an increase of 18.8 percent year on year, he said.

Some 2,739 foreign companies were permitted to set up in China last month, up 8.3 percent from the same period last year, according to Liu.

FDI flowing to east China rose 19.3 percent in the first half of the year compared to the?earlier period. FDI in central areas increased 22.7 percent while that directed to the under-developed western regions grew 20.8 percent.

"In general, foreign businesses are operating normally in China," Liu said.

About 53.7 percent of China's foreign trade was produced by foreign companies in the first half of the year, according to MOC data.

Liu said FDI in the second half is uncertainty because of the domestic economic situation and the uncertain global economic recovery.

He noted that surveys conducted by international organizations showed China remains one of the most attractive places for foreign investors.