The German government has blocked the sale of Volkswagen’s gas turbine operations to a Chinese company, citing security concerns. In June 2023, it was announced that Volkswagen’s MAN Energy Solutions unit would be sold to the Chinese state-owned CSIC Longjiang company. However, authorities began investigating the matter in September.
Some German politicians expressed concerns that China may use the gas turbines for military purposes, specifically for warships, rather than for civilian use. The country’s interior minister cited security reasons while the economy minister emphasized the importance of protecting technologies crucial for public order.
MAN Energy Solutions stated that it respects the decision made by the German government and will reassess its turbine operations. In Germany, the Ministry of Economy has the authority to review and block transactions deemed to have an impact on national security.
Both Germany and the EU have been working to mitigate risks that may arise from economic ties with China, aiming to safeguard national security interests.