Here in China, local governments continue to curb the country's property markets. From Beijing in the north to Dongguan and Foshan in the south, local governments are issuing a number of measures to regulate and curb property prices. But, will doing so push domestic investors to shift their focus to overseas markets? Our reporter Chen Tong spoke with a number of experts to find out.  

Chinese investors have become the world's most important cross-border players in real estate markets. Data from property consultant JLL show that total outbound Chinese property investment exceeded 94 billion dollars from 2014 to 2017. But China's activity in outbound property investments does not necessarily stem from stability in the country's first-tier markets. Over half of families purchasing apartments abroad are doing so as part of education planning for their children.

MICHELLE ZHOU, DIRECTOR OF INT'L RESIDENTIAL SALES SAVILLS CHINA "They are seeking a second home or they are planning to send their kids go to study overseas. They probably buy properties for the kids or self use. So basically there are many other reasons to bring Chinese people investing outside."

Property projects in China's first-tier cities, especially those in downtown areas, are still favored by individual buyers. Official data from the Shanghai government show that the area sold on the residential property market actually saw a year-on-year increase of five percent in the first quarter. One of the key factors driving the increase is falling prices. Data from Cushman & Wakefield show that the average sales price in Shanghai actually recorded a ten percent year-on-year decline in the first quarter.

JOE ZHOU, RESEARCH DIRECTOR JLL CHINA "If we look at individual projects in Shanghai, Beijing. Buyers still rushing to buy. Part of the reason is because of the price cap set by the government. Most of the buyers perceive those projects that are still under valued. That's why they are still rushing to the projects to buy those apartments."

Experts believe the property markets in China's large cities will diverge from those of small cities in the future. Property sales in the downtown areas of large cities will still be active as land resources there are limited, while sales in second-and third-tier cities will face some downward pressure as the demand there is not as high as in first-tier cities.