A new system to coordinate scrutiny of foreign investments into Europe, notably from China, was agreed by European Union member states on December 5.
Under the plan, the European Commission will investigate foreign investments in strategic technologies and infrastructure such as ports or energy networks.
As reported by the Reuters news agency, negotiators for the European Parliament and the EU’s 28 member states struck a deal last month to protect critical sectors.
However, it was not clear whether a sufficient number of countries would back the compromise, given opposition from some including Cyprus, Greece, Luxembourg, Malta and Portugal.
Greece, for instance, has welcomed Chinese investment. Its largest port Piraeus is majority-owned by China’s COSCO Shipping.
While the proposed new law does not name China, complaints over investments by state-owned enterprises and for technology transfers are clear references to Beijing.
Parliament will vote on the proposal in February or March.
