At the same time, big infrastructure projects, another key driver of China's growth, have driven up demand for raw materials from resource-rich countries such as Indonesia.

BBC: Can Asian economies fuel Asia's growth?

Finally, the supply of raw materials is likely to surge in the decade ahead in response to the global resource investment boom, putting further pressure on prices.

BBC: Viewpoint: Is Australia's resources boom over?

In their relentless search for raw materials to fuel the rapidly growing Chinese economy, Chinese companies are snapping up natural resource companies in Australia, Canada, Africa and wherever else in the world they can be found.

FORBES: China Enters the Vineyard