Chinese companies and investors are intensifying their purchases of industrial commodities such as copper, demonstrating a confidence in the world economy despite troubles in the US and European markets, the Financial Times reported. Copper prices fell to an eight month low of US$8,446 a ton in early August due to concerns of a “double-dip” recession in Western markets, but has since risen over 9.0% to US$9,225 on Tuesday. Senior executives at trading houses, mining companies and banks said that Chinese investors in particular had used the recent drop in prices to rebuild stocks, buoyed by the strength of renminbi and easier access to credit for some large Chinese buyers. China makes up 38% of global copper demand.