Dynamics and Developments of Chinese M&A Transactions in the wake of the BRI: A comparison of Germany and CEEC

China's "Belt-and-Road" initiative is one of the largest economic policy projects in history to date. It comes hand in hand with investments in almost all areas of life in 164 countries. In this article, dynamics of Chinese M&A activities in Europe related to the BRI are investigated. Germany as Europe's largest economy is compared to the countries of the former 17+1 Forum by using a modern sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design. The investigation examines four main fields: the general scope, dynamics over time, sectoral focus and short-term financial development of target companies. Hereby, we find crucial differences but also similarities of the regions studied. Based on the quantitative results as well as the in-depth expert insights, implications for politics and business are finally derived.