The German government prohibits the Chinese acquisition of the company Kleo Connect, which operates in the satellite industry.
Wortwörtlich kann ich den Text nicht umformulieren, da er bereits auf Deutsch verfasst ist.Wirtschaftsministerium. Das Kabinett billigte am Mittwoch die Entscheidung, eine komplette Übernahme des Satellitenunternehmens Kleo Connect durch den chinesischen Mehrheitsaktionär Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology abzulehnen. Grund ist eine mögliche Gefährdung der öffentlichen Sicherheit. Zuerst hatte unter anderem das Handelsblatt darüber berichtet.
SSST already holds approximately 53 percent of the company but wanted to acquire an additional 45 percent of Kleo Connect from the German company EightyLeo. Similar to Space X’s Starlink project, Kleo Connect aims to establish a global network of 300 satellites in orbit and provide global civilian satellite communication services with the help of corresponding ground infrastructure. This is now considered a strategically important area, as evidenced by the debate surrounding the use of the Space X network in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Maßnahme reflektiert neue Chinastrategie
Bundesregierung ist im Einklang mit der Position von Wirtschaftsminister Robert Habeck (Grüne), der eine genauere Prüfung von chinesischen Übernahmen befürwortet. Reinhard Houben, der wirtschaftspolitische Sprecher der FDP-Bundestagsfraktion, äußerte, dass die Entscheidung der Bundesregierung angemessen sei.BundesregierungIt is logical to prohibit the acquisition of Kleo Connect by the Chinese holding, given the geopolitical framework.
The satellite communication is a sensitive area of special security interest for the Federal Republic of Germany. Acquiring Kleo Connect, especially after the company’s decision not to rely on Chinese satellites, would not have been a good signal for Europe’s economic and technological sovereignty, said Houben. „This is the first decision of the federal government in light of the new China strategy.“
The German government has the authority to impose conditions or prohibit the acquisition or participation in a German company by a non-EU country. The criteria for evaluation is the potential impact on Germany’s public order or security.
In July, the German government presented a new strategy regarding China. It states that direct investments from Chinese companies abroad provide access to markets and technologies. However, it should not pose a risk to German public order and security, such as the outflow of sensitive technologies.