ABSTRACT
Chinese investments in Europe became significant at the beginning of the millennium, attracted by its top technologies, mature market, and relative openness. This chapter talks about the idiosyncrasies of Chinese investors and strategies. Hong Kong firms were the first to cross the stage of overseas investments in the 1990s, due to their more advanced development. Chinese investments in Europe focus mainly on the most industrialized countries and those with the most important populations. The United Kingdom was traditionally the most attractive European country for Chinese investors, given its historical links with Hong Kong, its openness, and the strength of its financial sector. Since the beginning of the millennium, Chinese investors in Europe rather favored greenfield activities whereas investors from Hong Kong rather focused on acquisitions and joint ventures. Chinese investments in public utilities, energy, and infrastructure appeared in the 2010s, boosted by the debt crisis in Europe and the following problems.
