China's foreign direct investment (FDI) will continue to experience robust growth this year, following an increase of 23 percent in January, said the Ministry of Commerce.

The expansion will come despite accelerating inflation, and the establishment of a ministerial panel responsible for reviewing overseas takeovers of Chinese companies concerned with military or national security work.

The country's strong economic growth and the transformation of the economy to one led by domestic consumption will help to sustain China's appeal to the foreign investors, said experts.

The ministry said on Thursday that China's FDI last month reached $10.03 billion, an increase of 23 percent and higher than the growth rate of 15.6 percent in December.

In 2010, foreign investment grew by 17.4 percent year-on-year to a record $106 billion.

In a statement released on Feb 13, the State Council said a ministerial committee will be set up to review approvals for proposed overseas merger and acquisition (M&A) deals concerning companies in the defense, agriculture, energy, transport, and technology sectors.