The UK attracted almost one third of all Chinese investment into the EU – accounting for $5.1bn – according to research by legal firm Baker & McKenzie conducted by Rhodium Group.

Tim Gee, global head of M&A at Baker & McKenzie said: “It is remarkable that, even as Chinese investment into Europe has grown almost exponentially over the past decade, the UK continues to attract nearly one-third of all Chinese investment into the EU. The statistics underline, once again, the strength of the UK economy, the health of its brands and Britain’s attractiveness as a country in which to do business. That is a great testament to British business, especially when you consider that UK investment in the rest of the world continues to out pace total foreign direct investment into the UK.”

Europe has emerged as a leading region for Chinese foreign investment globally; there were 153 separate investments worth $18bn last year.

Chinese investments in the EU are spread across a wide range of sectors. For the entire period of 2000-2014, the top recipients of Chinese capital were energy ($17bn), automotive ($7.7bn), agriculture ($6.9bn), real estate ($6.4bn), industrial equipment ($5.3bn), and information and communications technology ($3.5bn).

Reaching New Heights, Baker & McKenzie’s forthcoming report on Chinese investment into Europe, which will be available in March.