Chinese Investments and the Economic Security Turn in Europe
By Francesca Ghiretti
Published
Jan 10, 2025Page count
240 pagesISBN
978-1529241181Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Jan 10, 2025Page count
240 pagesISBN
978-1529241204Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Jan 10, 2025Page count
240 pagesISBN
978-1529241204Dimensions
234 x 156 mmImprint
Bristol University Press
Chinese Investments and the Economic Security Turn in Europe
Focusing on inward foreign direct investment (FDI) screening, this book provides an in-depth analysis of how European states’ economic interactions with China have become a security issue.
Based on 100 interviews with scholars, journalists, policy makers, and politicians from across Europe, the book underscores the importance of the policy making process that led to the adoption of investment screening in European nations. It adopts the theory of securitization to analyse the passage of the status of Chinese FDI from economy to security. In doing so, it shows how the shifting view of Europeans is attributed to changes such as China’s growing economic presence, the persistence of non-market practices, the loss of competitiveness, and the use of economic statecraft.
“An authoritative account of the rise of European investment screening and the role of Chinese investment.” Sarah Bauerle Danzman, Indiana University Bloomington
“This critical and much-needed text highlights in a clear and impactful way the significant role played by Chinese investments, set against the wider securitization of Europe’s economic relations with China. It is a fine addition to the canon of EU–China international political economy, with key insights on bilateral foreign investment and national security issues.” Amelia Hadfield, University of Surrey
“An excellent read on the China–Europe nexus and an original account of how a purely economic concept has become a security issue.” Agnes Szunomar, Corvinus University of Budapest and the China in Europe Research Network (CHERN)
Francesca Ghiretti is Research Leader at Rand Europe where her research focuses on economic security, Europe–China relations, and China’s foreign economic policy. She is also Adjunct Fellow (non-resident) at the Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Introduction: The Border between Economy and Security Blurs
1. Securitizing Economic Interactions
2. The EU Framework for FDI Screening
3. Economic Security or Protectionism
4. Reluctance towards Economic Security
5. Global Economic Security Policy
Conclusion: Economy and Security Become One
