China uses state-owned Hisense’s purchase of appliance giant Gorenje to exert influence in Slovenia
In June 2018, Chinese state-owned company Hisense acquired 95% of the shares in Slovenian household appliance maker Gorenje. In April 2019, Hisense acquired the company for 339 million USD, the largest Chinese acquisition in the country to date. Since then, the deal has been consistently referred to by all advocates for closer ties between China and Slovenia. For instance, in June 2020, the Chinese ambassador mentioned the acquisition at the very beginning of an interview he gave Slovenian media about the excellent ties between both countries. In October 2020, a business group advocating for Huawei’s continued participation in Slovenia’s 5G roll-out similarly alluded to the Hisense acquisition as one of the “strategically important investments in Slovenia.” Under PRC law, Huawei is obligated to participate in national intelligence work, has been credibly accused of cooperation with PRC intelligence agencies, and is owned ultimately by a trade union entity likely controlled by the CCP.

About This Incident

Threat Actors: China

Incident Metadata

Date: 2018 - Ongoing
Country: Slovenia