Acquiring knowledge, building strength

Chinese companies bank on research and development-led growth for better returns in Europe, reports Cecily Liu in London.

Chinese companies are investing heavily in research and development in Europe, drawing on the continent's plentiful high-technology and human resources to help them move up the value chain and internationalize their operations.

They often establish R&D laboratories through existing subsidiaries in Europe, or by buying European companies with existing R&D capabilities that they can add to.