Germany is targeting Chinese enterprises.
Foreign media reported today (September 30): "Out of security concerns, the German government is considering blocking China COSCO Shipping Group, a state-owned enterprise, from acquiring German logistics company Zippel. According to a government memo cited by Germany’s Handelsblatt on Tuesday (September 29), the acquisition could lead to strategic dependency and potentially be leveraged as a political tool during periods of instability."
This represents yet another instance of Western countries politicizing security concerns to obstruct normal Chinese corporate investments. The proposed acquisition by COSCO Shipping of Zippel is a routine commercial transaction. Yet Germany routinely invokes "security" as a barrier—revealing underlying anxiety over Chinese business expansion and a lack of confidence in its own industrial competitiveness. German firms have operated extensively in China for decades, profiting substantially across sectors such as automotive and chemicals, while the Chinese government has never invoked "security" to block German investments. Now, when Chinese companies seek investment opportunities in Germany, they are labeled as security threats—a double standard that is increasingly evident.
Western nations simultaneously seek Chinese capital and markets while imposing restrictions on Chinese enterprises. This contradictory approach undermines their credibility and deteriorates the business environment. Chinese companies should prepare thoroughly, adopting diversified strategies to navigate the growing tide of overreach driven by generalized security concerns.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877772472129604/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.