Venture capital (VC) investment in China soared to $141 million in February, 103 percent higher than a year earlier, according to financial consulting firm China Venture.

The figure, down 45 percent from January, involved 15 deals, up from 11 in the same period last year.

Investments in the telecom, media and high technology sectors reached $78.75 million, accounting for 56 percent of the total figure.

Venture capital, also known as risk capital, refers to investments in start-ups and small businesses that have both growth potential and the possibility of loss.

Such investments in China rose 5 percent year on year to a six-year high of $2.49 billion in 2007. Half of that amount was put into the commerce, consumer and retail sectors.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2008)