In the News

Jan 9, 2023 | Source: La Repubblica

Lo shopping cinese che preoccupa l’intelligence italiana

Il Dragone si nasconde nei dettagli. Non c'è solo TikTok della cinese ByteDance a impensierire i servizi di intelligence occidentali, per il sospetto che i dati del miliardo e passa di utenti che hanno scaricato la app possano essere raccolti e analizzati dal regime di Pechino per costruire campagne di influenza durante le elezioni o per spionaggio.

Dec 15, 2022 | Source: Handelsblatt

Habeck lässt Staatshilfe für chinesischen Chiphersteller noch einmal überprüfen

Neun Tage war Robert Habeck (Grüne) im Dezember 2021 im Amt, als sein Bundeswirtschaftsministerium einen Brief an die EU-Kommission schickte. Das Schreiben enthielt 32 Förderanträge aus der Chipbranche in Deutschland. Die Beamten baten darin freundlich um Genehmigung der Subventionen. Die Liste liegt dem Handelsblatt vor.

Oct 31, 2022 | Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung

Wie Chinas Regierung beim Kauf der Dortmunder Chipfabrik mitmischt

Offiziell will eine schwedische Firma die Fabrik kaufen. Doch der chinesische Konzern dahinter pflegt enge Kontakte zu Regierung und Militär.

Oct 27, 2022 | Source: EwMagazine

Michel bezoekt Xi: Hoe Europa nog altijd rode loper uitrolt voor China

De argeloze Europese Unie levert zich uit aan het Rijk van Xi Jinping. De Green Deal, de haven van Rotterdam: ze kunnen niet zonder China. Intussen bespioneert China Europese burgers en bedrijven. Tien zwakke plekken waar China Europa in de tang heeft.

Oct 14, 2022 | Source: Politico

MEPs cry foul as Strasbourg Airport buys Chinese scanners

A previously unreported deal between Chinese tech firm Nuctech and Strasbourg Airport to provide airport scanning systems is causing a stir among European Parliament members who fear their data is at risk.

Sept 5, 2022 | Source: NRC

Waar blijft het door de VS zo gewilde tech front tegen China?

Vijf vragen over de chipoorlog. Al twee jaar proberen de VS een internationale coalitie te smeden om de technologische ontwikkeling van China af te remmen. De spanningen rond Taiwan zetten de techoorlog op scherp. Maar van één front is nog geen sprake.

Sept 2, 2022 | Source: Formiche

L’Ue ignora i rischi delle joint venture con la Cina. Alert Clingendael-Datenna

Nell’80% dei casi, la società madre europea detiene una quota di minoranza. In un caso su quattro il rischio di coinvolgimento del governo di Pechino è considerato “alto” o il trasferimento di tecnologia è considerato un elemento “probabile” dell’accordo. Ecco cosa possono fare i 27 per alzare le difese.

Jun 11, 2022 | Source: Formiche / Decode 39

PowerChina scarica l’italiana Geodata. Storia di un fallimento non annunciato

Nonostante i debiti, la società torinese leader nella progettazione di tunnel sembrava in grado di farcela. Invece, dopo soli 5 anni dall’ingresso, l’azionista di maggioranza (un gruppo controllato dal governo di Pechino con 780 società nel mondo e un fatturato di 65 miliardi di dollari) ha portato i libri in tribunale. Ecco com’è successo e cosa ne sarà oggi degli oltre 400 dipendenti.

Jun 6, 2022 | Source: Bloomberg

Engineer Who Fled Charges of Stealing Chip Technology in US Now Thrives in China

Few companies are better positioned to benefit from the crippling shortage of computer chips than ASML Holding NV, a Dutch manufacturer whose equipment plays an integral role in making the world’s most advanced semiconductors.

Jun 3, 2022 | Source: Wall Street Journal

U.S. Lobbies U.K. to Reconsider Chinese Chip Factory Deal

A Chinese-owned company bought an obscure chip factory in Britain last year. After Washington made it clear it opposed the purchase, the U.K. initiated a probe that could unwind the deal.

Dec 10, 2021 | Source: Argos

Wordt Nederland gebruikt om Amerikaanse sancties te omzeilen?

Zakendoen in China kan riskant zijn: door de sterke mate van staatsinvloed kunnen kennis en technologie zomaar in handen komen van het Chinese leger of ingezet worden voor de onderdrukking van de Oeigoeren in Xinjiang. Terwijl Chinese investeringen in Europa steeds vaker streng worden gecontroleerd op ongewenste kennisoverdracht en staatsinvloed, bestaat er geen vergelijkbaar mechanisme voor samenwerkingen tussen Europese en Chinese bedrijven en investeringen in China — met alle risico’s van dien.

Nov 16, 2021 | Source: Wall Street Journal

China Skirted EU Scrutiny To Buy Italian Drone Firm

In 2018, a Chinese state-controlled company bought an Italian manufacturer of military drones. Soon after, it began transferring the company’s know-how and technology—which had been used by the Italian military in Afghanistan—to China. The Italian and European authorities had no knowledge of the move, revealing how Beijing is skirting weak investment-screening in Europe to acquire sensitive technology.

Nov 3, 2021 | Source: Le Monde

How China is trying to take control of European semiconductor companies

Pour rattraper son retard dans le domaine des semi-conducteurs, Pékin multiplie discrètement les acquisitions à l’étranger, y compris en France, en se dissimulant derrière des sociétés écrans. Le 13 mai, le fonds d’investissement chinois Wise Road Capital a déposé une offre de rachat sur l’entreprise française Unity Semiconductor (SC) SAS, comme l’indique la plate-forme spécialisée de données financières Refinitiv.

Oct 7, 2021 | Source: Il Post

Dietro agli investimenti cinesi in Europa spesso ci sono aziende di stato


Negli ultimi anni aziende e gruppi di investitori cinesi hanno acquisito centinaia di società europee. Alcune di queste acquisizioni sono molto note, come quella di Kuka, azienda tedesca che si occupa di robotica e che è stata comprata da un consorzio cinese nel 2016, altre sono meno famose e riguardano aziende di minor valore.

Oct 5, 2021 | Source: BNR Radio

VVD wil opheldering Blok en Kaag over Chinese inmenging overnames

De VVD heeft Kamervragen gesteld en wil opheldering van de minister over de betrokkenheid van de Chinese overheid bij de overnames. De partij wil onder meer weten in hoeverre Nederland op de hoogte is van de invloed van de Chinese overheid en of andere landen hier ook gebruik van maken.

Sept 7, 2021 | Source: Wall Street Journal

The Chinese firm behind the acquisition of the UK’s largest chip plant is state backed, analysis shows

Introduction Chinese real estate giant Evergrande is now officially the world’s most indebted real estate developer. Around the world, concerns arise about the company’s destiny and the repercussions that its default could cause worldwide. Concers

Sept 3, 2021 | Source: Formiche

La cinese Cosco è entrata nei primi cinque porti Ue. Ora punta quelli italiani

Cosco ha ottenuto il via libera della Corte dei Conti greca e, nonostante non abbia rispettato gli impegni, salirà comunque dal 51% al 67% dell’azionario del porto del Pireo, il quarto d’Europa, fondamentale per la Via della Seta. Ecco tutte le partecipazioni (e le mire) del colosso controllato dal governo cinese nei principali scali del Vecchio continente.

Aug 19, 2021 | Source: Verdict

Regulators delay Nvidia-Arm deal as China’s Newport Wafer Fab buy waved through

Nvidia has conceded that its $40bn acquisition of Arm will take longer than expected, due to regulatory scrutiny. It comes as the controversial sale of UK-based semiconductor firm Newport Wafer Fab to Chinese-owned Nexperia was completed without intervention.

Aug 13, 2021 | Source: Data Centre Dynamics

British companies say they would buy Newport Wafer Fab if UK gov blocked Chinese takeover

Nine UK companies have said that they would be willing to jointly acquire Welsh semiconductor manufacturer Newport Wafer Fab, should the UK government block a proposed acquisition by a Chinese-owned company. The identities of the companies have not been disclosed. Newport Wafer Fab is the UK's largest chip factory, but is significantly smaller than most modern fabs.

Aug 13, 2021 | Source: CNBC

U.S. chip start-up says its work with UK’s biggest plant came to a ‘screeching halt’ after Chinese takeover

The sale of Newport Wafer Fab was initially approved by U.K. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has since ordered the nation’s national security advisor, Stephen Lovegrove, to conduct a review, with a verdict expected in the coming weeks.

Jul 29, 2021 | Source: CNBC

Consortium prepares bid to buy the UK’s biggest chip plant back off Chinese-owned Nexperia

A consortium is raising money to fund a potential bid for Newport Wafer Fab, which is being acquired by Chinese-owned Nexperia, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Jul 27, 2021 | Source: Data Centre Dynamics

UK’s former cyber security head says Chinese ownership of Newport chip fab would pose greater threat than Huawei

The proposed sale of Britain's largest semiconductor fab to a Chinese-backed group is a "first order strategic issue," the former head of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre said. Ciaran Martin told The Telegraph that the sale of the Newport Wafer Fab to Nexperia was a bigger threat to the UK than allowing Huawei in its 5G networks - something he helped block while at the NCSC.

Jul 22, 2021 | Source: Telecom TV

What’s up with… STL & Clearcomm, AT&T, Orange

Sterlite Technologies has followed up its recent optical cable supply contract from BT’s semi-autonomous fixed access division Openreach with the acquisition of a UK network builder and systems integrator, Clearcomm Group, for £15.5 million. According to Pune, India-based STL, Clearcomm has developed “an excellent delivery model for large scale FTTx network integration projects.

Jul 16, 2021 | Source: Bloomberg

Nexperia Hits Back at U.K. ‘Sneering’ at China Ties in Chip Deal

Nexperia is “disappointed” in the controversy following its acquisition of a U.K. chipmaker and said fears about its ties to China are unfounded. “We’re always sneered at because people say we’re a Chinese company,” said Charles Smit, Nexperia’s general counsel, in an interview. “We are not owned or controlled by the Chinese government.”

Jul 12, 2021 | Source: Asian Investor

Insto roundup: Dai-ichi Life invests in BlackRock green infra fund; Korea's GEPS awards mandates for overseas infra

The Australian's Asic launches ESG fund review for greenwashing; Cbus hires from Apra; Hesta hires from AMP Life; Dai-ichi Life Insurance invests $50 million in climate infra fund; Korea's GEPS awards $105 million overseas infra mandates; Teachers' Pension calls for bids; QIA increases Credit Suisse stake; and more.

Jul 12, 2021 | Source: Kauppalethi

Suomalainen puolijohdeteknologiayritys kasvaa teknologiasodasta huolimatta – ”Tuntuu, että elämme toisessa todellisuudessa, kuin mitä julkinen keskustelu käy

Hollantilaisen Kiinaan erikoistuneen markkina-analytiikkatoimisto Datennan mukaan Beneqin kiinalaisomistaja SI:n taustalta löytyy monimutkainen omistajuusrakenne. SRI:n omistaa puoliksi CRRC Guohua Equity Investment Partnership. CRRC:n omistaa puoliksi Guohua Military-civilian Integration Industry Development Fund.

Jul 9, 2021 | Source: Euractiv

Digital Brief: ePrivacy derogation adopted, YouTube’s algorithm, killer acquisitions

Nexperia, a Chinese-owned Dutch firm, is set to acquire the UK’s largest chip producer, Newport Wafer Fab for approximately £63 million. The purchase comes amidst a global chip shortage which has seen the price of products such as laptops rise and which some worry could continue for years to come. Wingtech Technology, the company that owns Nexperia is heavily backed by the Chinese government, according to investment screening specialists Datenna, which traced nearly 30% of the company’s shares back to China’s authorities.

Jul 8, 2021 | Source: Reuters

UK credibility on China inward M&A gets wafer-thin

Britain’s policy on Chinese inward M&A is all over the place. As the world’s governments scramble to safeguard their manufacturing capacity amid a global semiconductor shortage, the UK was on the cusp of waving through the sale of its biggest microchip factory to Dutch firm Nexperia, a subsidiary of $19 billion Shanghai-listed chipmaker Wingtech Technology (600745.SS), without even a review. It has now changed its mind, but the damage is already done.

Jun 30, 2021 | Source: FD

China's kleine boeren waren de motor achter het Economische wonder

De poging van de Chinese Communistische Partij om de landbouw eind jaren 50 te collectiviseren mislukte grandioos. China’s landbouwareaal bestaat nu grotendeels uit kleine lapjes grond. Maar China’s opbrengst is bepaald niet verwaarloosbaar. Integendeel, het is de landbouw die het land welvaart bracht.

Jun 29, 2021 | Source: Follow The Money

Keuringsclub boten kwam zonder toetsing in Chinese handen...

Nederlandse keuringsinstanties beschikken over alle technische bedrijfs- en productiegegevens van bedrijven waarvan zij de producten moeten certificeren. Die data zijn vertrouwelijk. Wat als zo’n instituut wordt overgenomen door een Chinees bedrijf? De regels blijken niet toereikend te zijn. Brancheorganisatie en deskundigen slaan alarm. ‘Europese bedrijven zijn kwetsbaar voor het weglekken van bedrijfsgeheimen en voor buitenlandse invloed op onze standaarden.’

Jun 7, 2021 | Source: Formiche / Decode 39

Draghi blocca gli affari cinesi su un gioiello della robotica italiana

Efort Intelligent Equipment, società legata a Pechino, voleva aumentare la sua partecipazione in Robox, azienda del Novarese (dal 40% al 49%). Ma il governo si è opposto al trasferimento di tecnologia previsto nell’accordo utilizzando i poteri speciali. È il quinto veto in 17 mesi per fermare le mire del Dragone sulla terza economia europea.

Jun 4, 2021 | Source: FD

Gezocht in Amerika, gevierd in China: hoe een ASML’er aan de haal ging met gesloten bedrijfsgeheimen

Zongchang Yu kaapte bijna twintig ervaren ingenieurs én kostbare broncodes weg bij een Amerikaanse dochter van ASML en vluchtte naar Peking. Daar kan hij, met Chinese staatssteun, ongehinderd verder met de gestolen bedrijfsgeheimen van de chipmachinebouwer uit Veldhoven. ASML zit klem. Het concern wil de eigen belangen beschermen, maar tegelijk niet te hard op de Chinese tenen stampen. Want China is een groeimarkt.

May 16, 2021 | Source: Formiche / Decode 39

Who’s behind the Chinese companies eyeing Italian robotics

La cinese Efort Intelligent Equipment vuole aumentare la sua partecipazione in Robox, azienda del Novarese, dal 40% al 49%. Secondo gli esperti d’intelligence economica di Datenna, il livello di influenza dello Stato è elevato e il tipo di produzione è perfettamente in linea con il programma Made In China 2025, che punta al dominio high-tech.

Apr 1, 2021 | Source: Les Echos Weekend

Comment la Chine fait main basse sur les pépites européennes

Zongchang Yu kaapte bijna twintig ervaren ingenieurs én kostbare broncodes weg bij een Amerikaanse dochter van ASML en vluchtte naar Peking. Daar kan hij, met Chinese staatssteun, ongehinderd verder met de gestolen bedrijfsgeheimen van de chipmachinebouwer uit Veldhoven. ASML zit klem. Het concern wil de eigen belangen beschermen, maar tegelijk niet te hard op de Chinese tenen stampen. Want China is een groeimarkt.

Jan 20, 2021 | Source: Emerging Europe

MEPs concerned over increasing Chinese influence in Serbia

On the day that Serbia began a mass Covid-19 vaccination programme with the Chinese Sinovac jab, a cross-party group of MEPs has written to Olivér Várhelyi, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, to express concern over China’s increasing influence in the country, particularly in regards to the environmental impact of several heavy industry projects being implemented by Chinese-owned firms.

Nov 24, 2020 | Source: Swiss Info

More than half of Chinese acquisitions in Switzerland have state fingerprint

The analysis External linkby Dutch consultancy Datenna, published in the Swiss newspaper Le Temps, claims that 19 of 36 Swiss acquisitions by Chinese companies over the past decade can be linked to the Chinese state.

Nov 23, 2020 | Source: Les Temps

L’ombre de Pékin plane sur les investissements chinois en Suisse

Des groupes issus de l’Empire du Milieu ont racheté 36 entreprises helvétiques entre 2010 et 2020. Plus de la moitié de ces transactions sont le fait de conglomérats étatiques, faisant craindre la mainmise du gouvernement chinois sur certains secteurs stratégiques.

Oct 12, 2020 | Source: De Volkskrant

De lange arm van Beijing: Europese bedrijven in Chinese staatshanden, zonder dat ze het weten

De EU is heel voorzichtig begonnen met de bouw van een Europese Grote Muur tegen Chinese staatsinvloed. Want Europese bedrijven blijken soms zonder dat ze het weten deels in handen van Chinese staatsbedrijven. Zoals de Eindhovense lenzenmaker Anteryon.

Oct 10, 2020 | Source: Money.BG

Kaĸ дългaтa pъĸa нa Πeĸин ocтaнa нeвидимa в дeceтилeтиe нa cдeлĸи в Eвpoпa

Πpaвитeлcтвoтo нa Kитaй имa пpъcт, oбиĸнoвeнo пoтaйнo, в peдицa пpидoбивaния нa ĸoмпaнии в Eвpoпa пpeз пocлeднoтo дeceтилeтиe, пишe Тhе Wаll Ѕtrееt Јоurnаl.

Oct 1, 2020 | Source: RTL Z (TV)

De staatsinvloed van China in Europa en Nederland is groter dan gedacht

Chinese bedrijven investeren flink in Europa, en dus ook in Nederland. En zonder dat we het doorhebben gaat daar vaak ook flinke Chinese staatsinvloed achter schuil.

Oct 1, 2020 | Source: Elsevier

Nederlands onderzoek: Chinese staatsbedrijven kopen in het geheim Europese bedrijven

De Chinese staat verbergt betrokkenheid bij overnames van bedrijven in Europa. Dat valt op te maken uit onderzoek van het Nederlandse dataplatform Dattena waarover de Amerikaanse krant The Wall Street Journal op de voorpagina bericht. Van 650 Chinese overnames in Europa sinds 2011, meldt Datenna, komt 40 procent op het conto van Chinese staatsbedrijven onder controle van de Communistische Partij, schrijft Jelte Wiersma.

Sept 30, 2020 | Source: Wall Street Journal

Behind China’s Decade of European Deals, State Investors Evade Notice

Chinese government shareholders wield undetected influence in hundreds of deals, new research finds. China’s government has been deeply involved—often from behind the scenes—in a wave of acquisitions across Europe over the past decade.