Foreign developers seek partners, clients in China

"In the past, I would have preferred to rent a place, like we do in Beijing," Xu said. "However, I plan to buy a floor because it will give me a stable profit return even if I close down the company there someday."

He said the big time for China's real estate market has passed and it's not a bad idea to put some money into Canada if someone isn't expecting huge returns from it.

Chinese rushing for overseas properties

Property buyers scouring the world in diversification drive

Data from Jones Lang LaSalle Inc, an investment management firm offering specialized real estate services, show China's outbound commercial real estate investments reached $7.6 billion last year, up 124 percent year-on-year. It estimated Chinese investors will spend more than $10 billion in 2014 in overseas commercial real estate markets.

Against that background, foreign developers are looking for Chinese partners to jointly seek out potential clients in China. Talon is the developer behind the Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto, in the heart of Canada's financial district.

Labatte is optimistic about the future of those projects, saying that the new rich generation in China has better taste and higher requirements for their housing.

"They want to be closer to vibrant city life with convenient facilities," he said. "They want to have a luxurious lifestyle that a high-end project can provide - waiters, concierge, dining and party services included."

He said Chinese investors are at the starting line of commercial real estate investment in Canada and the potential is huge.

At present, US and European investors lead commercial real estate investment in Canada. Chinese investors will follow rapidly, Labatte said.

"We are not here to only sell a project," he said. "We are seeking Chinese developers to partner up" with.

He said many raw materials are imported from China for real estate construction, so Chinese companies' strong network of contacts will benefit cooperation.

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