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.
This means that the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) is either part of the Chinese government (high level of influence) or the Chinese government has a substantial stake in the acquiring company but not a controlling one (medium influence).
Over 650 acquisitions in Europe were analysed of which 161 showed high influence by the Chinese state (around 25%) and 103 medium influence (15%). Switzerland placed seventh in Europe in terms of influence of the Chinese government over acquisitions.
Swiss commodity firms were especially favoured for acquisition with stakes in Mercuria, Silk Road Commodities, Duferco and Glencore HG Storage International sought by Chinese giants like ChemChina, China Molybdenum, Hebei Steel and HNA. The biggest acquisition in Europe recorded by Datenna was Swiss company Syngenta, which was purchased by ChemChina in 2016 for CHF43.8 billion ($48 billion).
Swisscom records over 200 million cyberattacks per month
This content was published on
Swiss state-owned telecommunications provider Swisscom has to defend against 200 million cyberattacks on its own infrastructure every month.
This content was published on
International Women's Rights Day saw some 4,800 demonstrators march in the Swiss cities of Lausanne and Geneva on Saturday.
Diversity and equality ‘under threat’: ex-Swiss minister
This content was published on
Dismantling diversity programmes is a backwards step for equality, warns former Swiss government minister Simonetta Sommaruga.
Swiss regulator fines US bank Citi over fat-finger crash
This content was published on
Citigroup fined CHF500,000 by Swiss stock exchange regulator after a fat-finger trade caused a 2022 flash crash in European stocks.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss firms to be protected from foreign investors
This content was published on
Parliament has called on the Swiss government to make investments by foreign companies in Swiss firms subject to official approval.
This content was published on
Swiss authorities want to renew a discreet agreement allowing Beijing officials to enter the country and question Chinese citizens residing here illegally.
Swiss government rejects takeover restrictions on Chinese firms
This content was published on
The Swiss government has dismissed talk of introducing investment controls on Chinese companies despite requests from parliament to examine the risks.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.