AsianFin -- Private and foreign-invested enterprises saw steady expansion in China in the first half of the year, official data showed Tuesday, indicating improving market expectations as well as the country's appeal as a global investment hub.

Some 4.35 million new private enterprises were established in the first six months, up 4.6 percent year on year, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. Newly registered foreign-funded companies totaled about 33,000, marking a rise of 4.1 percent.

Overall, 13.28 million new business entities were established nationwide in the first six months.