China's outbound merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is likely to increase in the next 12 months despite the global economic downturn, according to a recent survey by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

The report said 63 percent of the respondents expect China's level of outbound M&A activity to increase, while only 21 percent said the level would drop.

The survey was conducted by independent intelligence firm Mergermarket and covered 106 respondents from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, including Chinese companies that have undertaken overseas M&As, financial advisory professionals, and private equity firms.