Success in Europe 'takes time'

"There are technical barriers in many areas, and there is no unified foreign investment approval procedure. The enthusiasm and motivation of Chinese investors are seriously affected by the abuse of antitrust investigations, harsh visa conditions and inflexible labor laws," Qi said.

"Trade protectionism has been rising in Europe in recent years. We hope the European Union will pay full attention to these issues, create a good atmosphere and environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and provide the necessary facilities," Qi added.

The EU has launched four trade remedy investigations against Chinese enterprises this year.

"Looking at the situation in recent years, Chinese enterprises investing in Europe have encountered some common investment facilitation problems. Some of these issues are being addressed, but some have not been effectively resolved," Qi said.

Problems include the EU's immigration and labor policies and what Qi said was the unfair practice of requiring non-permanent Chinese staff in Europe to pay into social insurance and unemployment compensation systems.

In addition, it's very difficult for Chinese companies to gain support from local financial institutions, which has increased the difficulties facing Chinese investors' local operations, according to Qi.

"China has made great efforts to promote investment facilitation in recent years," Ma said.

In recent years, China established special funds to foster Chinese investment in Europe, including a shipping development fund with Greece and special loans for small and medium-sized enterprises' development in Germany.

"With a population of 510 million and per capita GDP of up to $32,700, the EU is a huge market with advantages in technology, innovation, management, human resources and environmental management and has great advantages.

"Rising Chinese investment in Europe offers mutual benefit," said Li Zhaoxing, chairman of the China Public Diplomacy Association.