Chinese direct investments in Romania reach €1.95 billion by 2024

The stock of Chinese direct investments (FDI) in Romania has impressively reached €1.95 billion by the end of 2024, marking a remarkable 120.8% increase compared to €884.9 million in 2019.

This growth trajectory has been especially noteworthy from 2019 to 2022, where the cumulative increase was 130.1%. Although there was a 4% correction in 2023, the stock stagnated with a slight increase of €0.2 million compared to the previous year.

The industrial sector has seen significant investment, with its share of total Chinese FDI rising from 38.6% in 2019 to 79.7% in 2024. The absolute value of Chinese capital in the manufacturing industry soared from €342 million in 2019 to €1.56 billion by 2024, underscoring a strong shift towards production.

Investment in wholesale and retail has diminished considerably, dropping from 20% of total Chinese FDI in 2019 to just 5.4% in 2024, with a current stock of €105 million. Conversely, sectors like construction are now emerging, with investments rising to €125 million in 2024, compared to being nonexistent in 2021.

Moreover, the real estate sector, which faced a negative balance of -€23 million in 2023, has rebounded to €50 million in 2024.

Key investments from Chinese companies reflect a clear focus on industrial production, particularly in the automotive, electronics, and renewable energy sectors. Shenzhen Topband announced a significant investment of around $30 million in a 12,000 square meter factory in Timișoara in 2021, with plans for expansion and a workforce that could grow to 1,000 at full capacity.

In 2023, KSHG Auto Harness launched a production line in Hunedoara, creating approximately 400 jobs to supply components for the Volkswagen Group. Additionally, Great Wall Motor has established a production unit in Timișoara through Mind Automobile Part Romania, which was founded with a capital of about €2 million.

In a notable acquisition, Luxshare took over 50.1% of the German group Leoni for €205 million in 2024, which operates 10 factories in Romania employing around 12,000 people. They also separately acquired Leoni's automotive cable division for €320 million.

Dahai Solar is investing in a photovoltaic panel factory in Călărași, with an estimated investment of €10 million, set to produce 2,000 MW annually and provide around 150 jobs.

As of late July 2026, Romania is home to about 15,130 companies with Chinese capital, placing China fifth in terms of foreign investment in the country. The subscribed capital of these firms amounts to approximately 1.27 billion lei, representing an 18.9% increase in the number of Chinese companies since July 2019 and a 16.1% increase in subscribed capital.

In July 2023, China ranked fourth among countries investing in newly established foreign companies in Romania, contributing 94 new firms with a subscribed capital of 260,000 lei.