Visible face of CIC investment

Europe has been one of the major destinations for China's sovereign wealth fund

Although there is no firm yardstick to gauge its real impact, China Investment Corp has in many ways been the most representative face of Chinese investment in Europe. Apart from its regular activities such as equity and other investments, the fund has also played a key role by teaming up with other sovereign wealth funds for joint investments on the continent.

Fund officials say the multi-pronged approach has helped the CIC post reasonable returns on investment, despite the volatile and often deteriorating financial climate in Europe. As part of that game plan the CIC bought equity stakes in European utility companies, sectors seen as risky and unattractive in the short term.