Latest news with #ChineseInvestments
South China Morning Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Chinese investments in Europe have increased for first time since 2016
China's investments in Europe rose in 2024 for the first time in nine years, with Hungary reaffirming its position as the region's leading hub for Chinese capital. The investments shot up 47 per cent from a year earlier, to €10 billion (US$11.23 billion), according to a new joint report from the Mercator Institute for China Studies and Rhodium Group, two research houses. It marked the first rise since 2016, the year in which European governments' serious concerns over Chinese investments first emerged. The purchase of Kuka, a German manufacturer of industrial robots and factory automation systems, by Chinese appliance maker Midea Group stoked fears that Beijing was hoovering up Europe's critical technology companies. The subsequent nine years saw a significant cooling in investment, as the EU implemented a foreign direct investment screening mechanism designed to protect its crown jewels. While things are picking up again amid Chinese companies being frozen out of other markets – notably the US – they are still well below the rates seen before 2017. The report found that 53.2 per cent of China's investments in high-income economies flowed into Europe, with the EU and Britain accounting for 19.1 per cent of all foreign direct investment from the country – the first meaningful hike since 2018. Hungary is seen as China's closest partner in Europe. Photo: Shutterstock Greenfield investments in Europe – meaning Chinese companies launching new ventures by constructing new operational facilities from the ground up – rose 21 per cent compared to 2023, the third straight annual increase. Mergers and acquisitions, meanwhile, jumped 114 per cent to €4.1 billion, although this came from a very low base.
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt's SCZone Chairperson, Guangdong Governor discuss deeper cooperation
Egypt - The Chairperson of Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), Walid Gamal El-Din, met with a high-level delegation from China's Guangdong Province, led by its Governor Wang Weizhong, to discuss enhancing joint cooperation, the SCZone announced in a statement. The purpose of the meeting was to explore collaboration in the industrial, logistics, services, and port sectors. The Chinese delegation included Minister Plenipotentiary Jiao Liusheng, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy, several provincial officials, and representatives from major Chinese corporations. SCZone executive leadership also attended. Gamal El-Din stated that 'the SCZone is keen on deepening cooperation with Chinese investments from various Chinese cities and provinces.' He added that this aims 'to optimally leverage the successful strategic partnership with Chinese companies already operating within the zone, a partnership supported by the political leadership of both nations.' 'We aim to build on successful past partnerships with Chinese investments and seek further collaboration,' Gamal El-Din said, according to the statement. He noted that current cooperation 'encompasses ports, industrial zones, and logistics areas,' and highlighted 'the past successes of Chinese companies and the diversity of Chinese investments in sectors targeted for localisation under the SCZone's strategy.' He also 'affirmed his aspiration for cooperation in other areas critical to both the Egyptian and global economies, such as the automotive sector, renewable energy, and technology.' In turn, the Governor of Guangdong Province, Wang Weizhong, 'expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation with the SCZone.' He 'emphasized the importance of having company representatives from the province present to explore investment opportunities within the SCZone' and 'commended the SCZone's role in fostering an attractive investment climate for Chinese companies,' the statement reported. 'The Suez Canal Economic Zone boasts a prime location and significant investment incentives; we encourage companies from our province to invest there,' Governor Wang Weizhong stated. He explained that 'the zone serves as a global centre for industry and logistics and a launchpad for Egyptian exports to international markets, particularly given its strategic location and existing free and international trade agreements.' The Governor further 'noted his country's commitment to full cooperation and experience-sharing with the SCZone, and to advancing the strategic partnership between the two nations to even broader horizons.'
Gulf Business
16-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Chinese investment bank CICC opens branch in Dubai's DIFC
Image: Dubai Media Office Investment bank China International Capital Corporation (CICC) has officially launched its branch at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), strengthening China's financial presence in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. Operating under China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities and trading as CICC (DIFC Branch ) , the new office holds a category 4 license and is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). CICC's entry into Currently, around 30 per cent of Chinese firms operating in DIFC are Fortune 500 companies. Dubai a top destination for Chinese investments 'Dubai and DIFC remain a top destination for Chinese investments, further accentuated by a surge in interest from banks, wealth and asset management firms, large corporations, and insurance sector market players,' said Essa Kazim, governor of DIFC. 'We are delighted to welcome CICC to DIFC, bolstering the strategic relations between the UAE and China.' Kazim added that DIFC provides a well-developed ecosystem designed to support Chinese businesses looking to scale across MEASA, and pointed to growing synergies between China's strengths in research and technology and Dubai's ambition to lead in artificial intelligence through initiatives such as the Dubai AI Campus. Chen Liang, chairman of From UAE, a key gateway for the Gulf region, we will build tailored solutions to serve regional clients' evolving needs while supporting Chinese enterprises seeking strategic opportunities abroad,' he added. CICC to enable two-way investment banking gateway CICC is positioning the new Dubai branch as a premier two-way investment banking gateway between China and the Gulf region. The bank plans to work closely with sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, and major corporations to structure cross-border investments and facilitate greater participation in China's capital market projects. Founded as China's first joint venture investment bank, CICC has been instrumental in the development of China's capital markets. It combines global best practices with deep local expertise across investment banking, asset management, FICC (fixed income, currencies, and commodities), wealth management, and private equity. It operates globally through offices in Hong Kong SAR, New York, London, Singapore, Frankfurt, and Tokyo. With the DIFC launch, CICC is seeking to deepen financial ties under China's Belt and Road Initiative, while expanding its influence in the region's financial services ecosystem.
