* Chairman calls Sino-U.S. relationship delicate
* CIC books 2018 37% net profit drop on market turmoil
* CIC unit to step up rescue efforts at high-risk institutions (Adds executive quotes, background)
By Cheng Leng and Engen Tham
BEIJING, Sept 20 (Reuters) - China Investment Corp (CIC) reported a 37% dive in annual profit on Friday and said the ongoing Sino-U.S. trade war has made the Chinese sovereign wealth fund more cautious about investing in the United States.
China and the United States have enmeshed in a tit-for-tat trade war for more than a year that has led to escalating import tariffs at a time of slowing global economic growth.
The trade war "is making us more cautious about investing in the U.S.," CIC President Ju Weimin said at a news conference in Beijing after the fund reported its annual earnings.
The fund "will not pose a threat to the countries it invests in, we insist on legal compliance," said Ju, adding the wealth fund will reduce the riskiest assets in its portfolio, and seek opportunities in industries such as manufacturing, technology, telecommunications and healthcare.
CIC is a shareholder in China's largest banks including China Development Bank Corp and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd .
It posted a 37.2% fall in 2018 net profit at $65.06 billion, citing a complex global financial environment and market turmoil. Its total investment income was fell 40.7% to $67.84 billion.
"The global economy and financial situation is complex, international capital markets are in turmoil, the risk for assets is growing," said Chairman Peng Chun, who described the current Sino-U.S. relationship as "delicate".
The fund "feels a lot of pressure," Peng said, adding CIC's long-term returns outlook is stable.
CIC booked a minus 2.35% net return on overseas investments last year, versus 17.59% in 2017. However, its annualised accumulative investment return for 2008 to 2018 was 6.07%, exceeding the fund's performance review target, Peng said.
The fund has invested in 44 projects worth $26 billion under the government's Belt and Road international trade route initiative as at the end of August, said Ju.
"Some countries have tightened their investment oversight," said Peng, adding Chinese investment entities have faced prejudicial treatment due to increased protectionism.
CIC neverthelss plans to actively engage in cross-border investment such as multilateral funds, Peng said.
Headquartered in Beijing, CIC was founded in 2007 to help China earn a higher return on its foreign exchange reserves. It managed 4.3 trillion yuan ($607.01 billion) worth of state assets as at the end of 2018, its earnings report showed.