Foreign policy

China is a massive headache for Europe

Late last week, news broke that three people were being investigated by German prosecutors on suspicion of involvement in Chinese espionage. German diplomatic sources confirmed to CNN that one of those involved is thought to be a former European Union diplomat, who served several of the bloc's institutions over a number of years.

The specter of someone who worked at the heart of the European Union's establishment could be compromised by malign Chinese actors should be a nasty wake-up call for officials in Brussels, who are currently rushing to sign a long-awaited investment agreement with Beijing.

For Europe, China is an attractive economic prospect. Already the EU's second largest external trading partner, it's a massive economy with serious spending power and the potential for lucrative investment returns. The problem is, China's political system makes it a risky place to put money.