The new restrictions on investment expected to be introduced by the European Union belie its commitment to free trade and globalization, and will put a brake on the momentum of Chinese investment in the EU, which does not bode well for their strategic partnership — or indeed the economies of some EU members, according to a China Daily editorial.

In sharp contrast with China's recent efforts to open its market wider to foreign investment, by significantly improving its market access, the EU has drafted its first unified rules to restrict foreign investment on security grounds.

Confronted with the growing competitiveness of Chinese companies in sectors in which they are used to being the undisputed leaders, there is a heightened sense of strategic crisis in the EU and other developed economies, which has prompted them to close their doors to Chinese investment. Yet doing so will only hurt their economies.

The EU and the United States should bear in mind that China is the most successful large economy in the world in modern times and its economic development derives from its opening-up. Attracting foreign investment has helped boost its economy, and Chinese investments can now inject fresh momentum into other economies, including the EU, the editorial said.