Chinese 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 yuan bills and Russian 1,000 and 100 ruble bills - Sputnik International
Economy
Get breaking stories and analysis on the global economy from Sputnik.

Soft Power: This is How Chinese Companies Conquer Britain

© Flickr / Gabriel CalderónCity of London
City of London - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Chinese companies are actively investing in the British economy, including strategically important industries and sectors. After Brexit, Britian will try to attract more investments from China. However, London will also try to protect strategic industries from foreign capital.

Flags of European Union and China - Sputnik International
Silk Road: China Embarks on Investment Charm Offensive in Europe
Recently, the British government approved the construction of the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant with participation of Chinese investors. Two months ago the decision was delayed due to the need to assess the consequences of Chinese investments into Britain’s strategic industries.

The government introduced new protective measures in order to preserve control over foreign investments in strategic infrastructure projects, including atomic energy.

The Hinkley Point case is an example that the British government does not want to lose non-European strategic partners. At the same time, the new British cabinet will avidly protect national security since London’s foreign economic policy has become more independent after Brexit, Ekaterina Arapova, an expert of the Russian International Affairs Council, wrote in an article.

Brexit may result in serious changes in the British domestic market, including the structure of trade and investment flows. This would affect China as it is one of the biggest investors to the British economy.

Visitors walk under flags of European Union and China in front of The Tiananmen Gate in Beijing (File) - Sputnik International
West Caught in Catch-22 Over Need and Fear of Chinese Investments
China is the second-biggest investor, after the United States and Japan. In 2015, China’s total investments abroad reached $128 billion, 3.6 percent higher than in 2014. By 2020, Chinese FDI is expected to reach nearly $250 billion.

China is actively diversifying its investments in terms of geography. Over the past few years, China has been one of the biggest investors in Europe’s emerging economies, including major merger and acquisition deals. For example, China’s state-owned ChemChina paid €9 billion for Italy’s Pirelli late-2015. The Chinese company was also approved to buy the Swiss company Syngenta for $43 billion.

Britain has long been one of the favorite countries for China to invest to. Between 2000 and 2015, Chinese investments in Britain reached €15.2 billion.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower (C), in the Lujiazui Financial District in Pudong, is lit in red, white and blue, resembling the colours of the French flag, in Shanghai on November 14, 2015 - Sputnik International
Ready for 'Showtime': China Becoming Center of Global Financial Activity
Until 2012, China invested mostly in the banking sector, solar energy, the auto-manufacturing industry and communication. Now, the trend is to more technologically advanced industries and infrastructure.

One of the strategic priorities is investments into major infrastructure projects. In 2012, China Investment Corporation bought an 8.7-percent stake in Thames Water Utilities and 10 percent in Heathrow Airport Holdings. In 2011, Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings purchased Northumbrian Water. Beijing Construction Engineering Group invested in the Airport City Project in Manchester.

Chinese investors need major infrastructure projects in Europe to expand their presence in Europe, according to the article. It is no surprise that the new British government is concerned over China’s investment activities. The government now pays more attention to the risks which stems from loosening control over strategic infrastructure objects and industries.

According to estimates by the London School of Economics, Brexit will result in a 22 percent drop in direct investment into the British economy and a 3.4 percent drop in revenues.

Such a situation could make capital inflow from emerging economies vital for the British economy. After London withdraws from the European Union and loses European capital, Britain will attract investment partners from other countries, first of all from China, the author suggested.

First, Chinese companies have relatively abundant investment resources. Moreover, Chinese companies adhere to the state-run policy of active investing abroad.

A two Euro coin is pictured next to a one Pound coin on top of a portrait of Britain's Queen Elizabeth in this file photo illustration shot March 16, 2016. - Sputnik International
UK Business Confidence Hits Four-Year Low After Brexit Vote
Britain’s policy towards Chinese investors will depend on two opposite tendencies, the expert pointed out.

On the one hand, competitive struggle for Chinese capital is becoming more intensive between leading European countries, including Britain, Germany, France and Italy. This could prompt the British government to take measures facilitating foreign capital inflows.

On the other hand, the British government will protect strategically important economic sectors from foreign capital. This refers to direct foreign investment into major infrastructure projects, including transport and energy objects.

Thus, Britain will try to keep a balance between the need to attract more foreign investments into the economy and a policy to maintain national security, the expert concluded.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала