KINESISKA DIREKTINVESTERINGAR

Abstract

By reducing fossil fuel reliance and introducing renewable energy the EU could decrease their dependence of external energy suppliers and strengthen their member states’ energy security. However, increasing Chinese direct investments into the EU’s energy sector has caught academic and political attention, partly because the investments can entail new problems regarding member states’ energy security. Former research finds both advantages and disadvantages of receiving Chinese direct investments. In Sweden, the stance on Chinese direct investments has changed, from something considered as positive to something putting Sweden’s security at risk. The purpose of this thesis is to map which arguments Swedish member of parliament and government use when they debate Chinese direct investments in the Swedish energy sector, and if the arguments can be found in former research or not. An argumentative analysis of the parliamentary debate in Sweden showed that Swedish politicians mainly lift the disadvantages of the investments. Foremost, political disadvantages are brought up. Still, some advantages, most of which are commercial, are highlighted. No new arguments were found, which indicates that former research has a good understanding of how Chinese direct investment normally is discussed in EU countries. One of the thesis suggestions for future studies is to investigate if there are alternative motives behind the used arguments.