A computer model of the Chinese-designed stadium in Oran, Algeria. Covering 40,000 square meters, the athletics arena will have a range of creative design features and is expected to be completed next year. Provided to China Daily

Over the past decade, many of China's most recognizable architectural designs have had a distinctly foreign feel.

From the famous Beijing National Stadium - the main stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games and recognized around the world by its nickname the Bird's Nest - to China Central Television's headquarters, industry experts suggest that maybe as much as 90 percent of Beijing's newest landmarks have been designed by Western companies.

But as China's fancy for international style has grown, so too has foreign interest in Chinese design.

In Algeria, for instance, China Architecture Design and Research Group, China's largest State-owned engineering design and service company, is behind the blueprints for one of the region's largest stadiums - a 40,000-seater, expected to be completed in the historic coastal city of Oran next year.

Covering 40,000 square meters, the spectacular football and athletics arena will have a range of creative design features, including a natural meadow nearby.

It will cost the Algerian government $189 million, and take 30 months to build.

Liu Yu, China's ambassador to Algeria, told China Daily that the project represents the very best of what Chinese architects can offer, and should be used as prime example of what the country's design community is capable of.

"Oran stadium is a landmark project constructed and designed by Chinese enterprises.

"It certainly helps promote the Chinese brand in the Algerian market and beyond," he said.

The Oran stadium project also represents just the kind of overseas ambition by Chinese companies that the government is keen to promote, as officials urge more enterprises to expand their international reach and influence.

Another example of CAG's international ambition came in May, when the Beijing-based design group bought the Singaporean infrastructure development company CPG Corp from the Australian heavy-engineering company Downer Group, for A$147 million ($156 million).

As the first overseas purchase by a leading player in the country's design community, the deal was significant.

"The acquisition not only provides us a mature platform to expand our foreign business, but also illustrates our growing level of internationalization," said Xiu Long, the head of CAG.

Xiu added that the challenge, after completing the takeover, is to integrate the strengths of the two companies in a way that can create a larger company with an even stronger ability to win international deals.

CPG is experienced at designing projects of many different types, including hospital, airport, school and stadium projects.

Xiu said that the investment will also help open the door for future projects with other Chinese contractors involved in the international architecture and construction-contracting markets.

Chinese contractors have been steadily expanding their presence in foreign markets including Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

The most recent annual report on foreign project contracting by China International Contractors Association showed that China's offshore contracting industry is expected to expand 5 to 10 percent this year.

The industry signed new contracts worth $142.3 billion in 2011, up 5.9 percent year-on-year.

Infrastructure construction remains in its infancy in many emerging economies in Africa and the Middle East.

Xiu said that partnering with Chinese contractors, he can see considerable business opportunities there for his new company, given the combined experience with its new Australian subsidiary, particularly in hospital and airport projects.

A leading name in the Chinese construction industry looking to grow its international presence is China Communication Construction Co Ltd.

The State-owned contractor has design subsidiaries specializing in port, railway, highway and municipal engineering design.

China Communication is hoping to increase its international revenue to 30 percent of overall revenue this year, from its current 20 percent, and to make that 40 percent in the long term, said spokesman Zha Changmiao.

As well as architectural firms, individual Chinese architects are also establishing a growing presence on the international stage.

Architect Wang Shu, for instance, was awarded the 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize in May, the industry's highest honor, becoming the first winner from the Chinese mainland.

"The selection of Wang is an acknowledgement of the role that China will play in the development of architectural ideals in the future," said Thomas J. Pritzker, chairman of the Hyatt Foundation, the sponsor of the prize.

Wang's most notable works include two in the city of Ningbo: the Contemporary Art Museum, and the History Museum.

According to experts, as China's urbanization speeds up, the debate continues as to whether future architectural designs should be anchored in tradition, or continue to adopt or even imitate foreign and modern styles.

As designs influenced by Western companies, such as Beijing's CCTV headquarters, sometimes attract more criticism than acclaim, some industry insiders are calling for a return to a more traditional Chinese appearance, which is also attracting increased international approval.

According to a recent report from the global business advisory firm Ernst & Young, China topped a key economic index among emerging economies that measures the economic effects being delivered by a country's "soft power" - or its ability to influence the actions of others through intangible assets such as culture, political values and institutions.

The promotion of technology, intellectual property and cultural awareness are also included in the list of "soft" skills, and these are just the areas which many in the architectural and construction design sectors suggest will play an increasing part in the future expansion of the sector, especially in pursuit of overseas contracts.

baochang@chinadaily.com.cn