China is set to become the world’s fourth largest asset allocation decision for wholesale investors over the next five to 10 years, according to Martin Currie Investment Management’s China head, Chris Ruffle.

Currently, China represents a “big percentage of global [gross domestic product] yet commands less than 1 per cent of the MSCI World Index”, Ruffle said.

On a visit to Martin Currie Australia this week, he said, however, that there was growing investment interest in the China market from the institutional market, such as global pension funds.

“Certainly, investors are now starting to see China as a standalone investment, rather than as part of a global equity play, or even an emerging market.”

He said this growing interest is occurring as the Government moves to shift China's growth story from an export to a domestic focus, notably with its stimulus packages aimed at the domestic markets.