The Confederation blocks the entrance: the government prefers to buy 50Hertz

Thank you for your evaluation! 19659003 The Federal Government prevented China from entering German electricity. Public company KfW acquires 20% share in transmission system operator 50Hertz and outperforms Chinese state-owned company SGCC

The Federal Government again banned the takeover of a German company by investors Chinese. This time it is the 50Hertz transmission system operator. The federal government has "security considerations, a high interest in the protection of critical energy infrastructure," said the Ministry of Economic Affairs Friday. The population and the economy were waiting for a reliable energy supply.

Germany gives a political signal

Germany therefore sends a significant political signal. Because Chinese investors are shopping in Germany and Europe – especially in future technologies and in strategically important areas. SGCC is the Chinese network operator owned by the state. In 2017, it ranked second in the Fortune Global 500 list of the largest global companies with nearly $ 350 billion in business turnover and 1.6 million employees.

SGCC does not hide the fact that the giant corporation of the Communist Party serves: "To support the leadership of the party, the Strengthen the party development work is the root and soul of public enterprises," says the website Until now, the Group has taken stakes in, among others, Italy and Portugal.

The first takeover attempt had already failed

In the spring, a first attempt by Chinese to break 50Hertz had already failed.In place of SGCC, the majority owner of 50Hertz, the Belgian public company Elia, had acquired other shares.The Belgians have increased their share to 80%. [19659012] The Chinese state-owned company would have had an interest in the remaining 20% ​​minority share.Elia has now made use of its right of first refusal and acquired the Australian investment fund IFM package, as announced by the company. it will now be sold immediately to KfW under the same conditions. The Ministry of the Economy spoke of a "bridge solution" – the shares should be sold in perspective

German companies are popular with Chinese investors

For years, China has been trying to find the best value for money. acquire foreign advanced technologies through acquisitions and political influence. The main vehicle is the "New Silk Road", promoted by Beijing as a "Belt and Road" initiative.

A Chinese public company controls the Greek port of Piraeus, while other public or party companies of the People's Republic are involved in European airports

"China can invade us"

One of the main objectives of this initiative is Eastern Europe, where China has offered financing for motorways and railways. This year alone, three-digit Chinese companies and three million dollars are involved in three major energy projects in Ukraine. According to the calculations of the conservative American think tank American Enterprise Institute, Chinese companies have invested more than 350 billion dollars in Europe since 2008.

But the critical voices are multiplying: "It's the last moment to act. China can surpbad us, "said Chinese expert Mikko Huotari, head of international relations program at Chinese research institute Merics.

Germany's security is in danger [19659007] The Federal Government is also active in another case The government has already vetoed the sale of the Westphalian machine tool manufacturer Leifeld Metal Spinning to Chinese investors The reason is that a sale could jeopardize the 39, public order or the security of Germany.The cabinet wants to make a corresponding decision on August 1.

According to "Wirtschaftswoche", the company Ahlener employs about 200. The company is a technological leader in materials high-strength used in the aerospace industry but which can also be used in the nuclear sector.

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According to reports, this would be the first time that Germany would apply the new regulation on foreign trade and prohibit the entry of foreign investors on this basis. In 2017, the German government has extended its veto against the takeover of strategic companies by foreign investors, reacting to several takeovers by Chinese companies

China wants to take over the technology

difficult. Chinese investors are active all over the world, in Germany, companies in the People's Republic are particularly interested in key technologies such as robotics, mechanical and phytosanitary engineering or biomedicine. The official goal of the Chinese government is to become the global technology leader in all major industry sectors by mid-century. The biggest commotion to date in 2016 has been the $ 1 billion acquisition of Kuka, one of the leading manufacturers of robots for the industry. The buyer was the Chinese group Midea.

In video: Technology leader in high-strength materials – The Federal Government bans the first sale of a German company to Chinese