China has experienced significant growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) since opening up its economy in the late 1970s. It has been the top FDI destination globally for 16 years, receiving $52.39 billion in the first half of 2008 alone. Foreign-invested enterprises now account for 58% of China's imports and exports and are concentrated in manufacturing and real estate. While FDI was initially restricted and tightly controlled, China gradually reformed its laws and regulations to promote greater investment, including establishing special economic zones and allowing wholly foreign-owned enterprises. This helped transform China into the second largest FDI recipient worldwide and supported its rapid economic growth and development.