Investment from China in overseas property markets is expected to grow by 20 percent annually on average through 2020, when it will stand at about $50 billion per year, as market-oriented reforms encourage companies to explore opportunities abroad.

The figure is comparable to what United States-based investors have put into overseas real estate markets over the past few years, according to Savills Plc, an international real estate adviser.

Chinese institutions invested close to $13.5 billion in overseas real estate markets last year, more than double the figure in 2012.