The mystery of the vanishing Chinese investor

For those eagerly anticipating a flood of Chinese investment into emerging Europe, the last few months have brought good news and bad. 

First the good news. Last year, China became the biggest foreign investor in the region for the first time. According to law firm CMS, Chinese firms announced €7.7 billion of acquisitions in central and eastern Europe over the 12-month period. 

Now the less good news. CEFC China Energy’s purchase of a stake in Russian state oil firm Rosneft accounted for more than 97% of that total.