PHOTO
Smart Dragon-1 rocket, China's first rocket designed for commercial use, carrying three satellites lifts off from the launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province, China August 17, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT.
BERLIN- Germany has blocked the takeover of satellite and radar technology firm IMST by a subsidiary of state-controlled missile maker China Aerospace and Industry Group (CASIC) due to national security concerns, a government document showed on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman of the German economy ministry declined to comment on the company names. But she added that cabinet had authorized the ministry in a closed-door meeting to screen and block a foreign investment by a non-European investor on the grounds that the step could pose a threat to national security.
A spokeswoman of IMST declined to comment.
IMST, based in the western town of Kamp-Lintfort in North Rhine-Westphalia, has special expertise in the field of satellite and radar communication and is a supplier of Germany's armed forces.
(Reporting by Michael Nienaber Editing by Caroline Copley) ((michael.nienaber@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 2888 5085; Reuters Messaging: michael.nienaber.reuters.com@reuters.net www.twitter.com/REUTERS_DE www.reuters.de))
