[7]: 29 The state-owned Central Huijin Investment Corporation was merged into CIC as a wholly owned subsidiary,[6] a process that was completed in 2008.

[9] CIC also sought to improve its credibility by assembling an international advisory council of important individuals from the West.

[7]: 113 CIC's investment strategy changed during Ding's tenure, with an increased focus on the agricultural sector, including industries such as irrigation and animal feed, which other institutional investors have tended to overlook.

[7]: 113  Other points of emphasis during Ding's time as CIC Chair included technology, real estate, and infrastructure investments.

[7]: 117 Tu supervised CIC's continued process of aligning its investments with the priorities of the Belt and Road Initiative.

[7]: 116  Responding to Western countries' hostility to Chinese state-led investment, Tu established a strategy of CIC partnering with well-established Western institutions including Goldman Sachs to form cooperation funds that could better satisfy the requirements of foreign direct investment screening processes.

[7]: 108 In September 2013, the fund acquired a 12.5% stake in Russian potash fertiliser company Uralkali for a rumoured $2 billion.

[16][17] In January 2017, acquired a 45% stake in the office skyscraper 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York City, which valued the building at $2.3 billion.

[20] In addition to its pursuit of financial returns, CIC's investments are also intended to promote China's national interests.

[7]: 14  This created a political opportunity for the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in 2013 to expand the sovereign funds under its jurisdiction.

[7]: 9 CIC has been described as a unicorn-maker for its role in fueling the growth of Chinese tech sector through its early support of Alibaba and DiDi.