The record-breaking takeover of Canadian oil and gas company by a Chinese oil firm is in line with the recent trend of explosive growth in China's overseas investment.

China's overseas investment activities have injected fresh blood into the otherwise bleak global investment markets in the post-crisis era and helped accelerate the recovery of the world economy.

The $15.1 billion deal between Nexen and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation marks the largest-ever overseas acquisition by a Chinese company.