China

China's ambitious and increasingly outward-looking, technology driven economy is an important market for our international clients. Having recognised its potential at an early stage, we have one of the strongest track records in successfully advising on Sino-foreign transactions and investments for more than three decades.

We set up our first Chins office in Shanghai in 1996. As the Chinese economy has evolved, our China expertise has grown with it.

Our Taylor Wessing China group consists of professionals who can handle complex multi-jurisdictional transactions and investment projects.

Advising on the full range of legal matters, we are best known for our corporate/M&A, intellectual property, commercial, employment and real estate work. Our clients include multi-national corporations and medium-sized companies as well as Chinese state-owned enterprises, investment banks and firms.

Our sector-specific expertise and approach means we are well positioned to advise on legal and strategic aspects of our clients’ business across various sectors, including the technology, life sciences and healthcare, automotive and mobility and cleantech sectors.

Over the decades, we have developed strong and highly co-operative relationships with Chinese government organisations and administrative entities on a central, provincial and local level. We also have strong links to several Chinese law firms and other professional services firms operating in the region and can, help you navigate the complexities of local regulatory and cultural requirements.

Our Areas of Expertise

Our corporate and M&A services in China

Our core strengths in China include corporate, M&A and joint venture work of all varieties including all aspects of

Project structuring (including tax and financing aspects)
Establishment of business units
Acquisition of and mergers with companies
Merger control
Restructuring
Liquidation / exit strategies

In addition, we constantly advise clients on ongoing corporate issues such as

Corporate governance
Regulatory affairs including maintenance of business licenses and specific licenses
Preparation and approval / registration procedures for changes to corporate organs
Support in shareholders’ and board of directors’ meetings

All such services are rendered in accordance to the needs of the concerned project against the background of the Chinese particularities, whether under law, culture or business practice.

"Mix of very experienced partners with long-term China on-site experience from many industries in conjunction with a strong local team on site. Time difference is also used in a positive manner to get things done in various timezones to comply with our needs.”	Legal 500 Asia Pacific
"Frequently recommended law firm for M&A”	JUVE Directory
“One of the benefits of working with this team is the extensive network of attorneys they have in their company. When needed, the attorneys were able to reach out to others in their organization for assistance and/or to recommend contacts who can assist us in other areas. “	Legal 500 Asia Pacific
“The firm has long-term continuous involvement in China, resulting in network and experience as well as dedication and curiosity plus attention to detail to make every matter a success for the client.”	Legal 500 Asia Pacific
“The frequently recognized corporate practice of Taylor Wessing is recommended for its market-leading China practice."	Chambers and Partners

Our commercial and employment services in China

Our commercial services

We regularly advise clients in relation to a broad range of commercial issues related to China, including rendering advice on

All sorts of contractual arrangements for the sale and purchase of assets
Trade-related and other dispute resolution with Chinese enterprises
Risk assessment of commercial contracts and contractual risk mitigation measures
Advice on Contract Management
Standard clauses, General Terms and Conditions
(Review of) distribution and dealership arrangements; arrangements with Chinese manufacturers
Contractual documentation in relation to the acquisition of land use rights and buildings and lease of real estate
Anti-trust issues
Supply Chain Act

Our employment services

Labour law and rules governing employment in China develop rapidly. Depending on the place of the operations concerned, local variations may exist which require employment matters to be dealt with individually. International concerns may add another layer to the complexity.

Our services include:

Drafting and reviewing labour contracts / termination issues with a focus on management personnel
Advising on social insurance issues
Labour law related due diligence
Drafting and reviewing Labour Directories
Advising on expatriate secondment issues
Visa / work permit solution

Taylor Wessing's China Group has an impressive client base...”

Chambers and Partners

Both medium-sized enterprises and MNCs count among Taylor Wessing China Group's clients.”

Chambers and Partners

Our intellectual property practice

Combining the resources of its strong IP litigation practice, its patents and trademark teams and its China offices, Taylor Wessing has provided practical and effective solutions to many inbound and outbound business issues that implicate IP in China.

Our consultancy portfolio focuses on:

Trademarks and Copyright
In 2019 we expanded the scope of international services by establishing an exclusive relationship with Beijing Tailun IP Agency Co. Ltd. with trademark and copyright filings. In this way, Taylor Wessing offers clients the best local support in trademark matters. The services include trademark applications, trademark oppositions and other proceedings before the Chinese Trademark Office.

Range of Services

Filing and defending applications, trademark portfolio management and enforcement
Non-use cancellations, oppositions and invalidations
Advise on international trademark filing and registrations
Customs recordal
Copyright registration matters
Domain name registration

Patents and Know-how

Patent filing strategy, design and support for patent transfer transactions and patent licensing negotiations
Patent litigation and enforcement in China, including cases with risk of political interference and media strategy
Employee inventions, R&D structures and IP-related risks
Technology transfer

Unfair Competition Law

Designing and advising on trade secret and know-how protection, practical and legal protection steps
Advising clients on non-compete agreements, confidentiality agreements and non-solicitation clauses
Protection of trade dress, enterprise names and domain names, fighting slavish copying

Winner Legaltech Pioneers”

China Business Law Awards 2025

“IP powerhouse” Taylor Wessing “is always a step ahead and is a big name for contentious and transactional work.”
“The (…) practice is primarily aimed at supporting European and American clientele with IP issues in China.

IAM Patent 1000

Our IT / data protection expertise

Our China TMT expertise:

E-Commerce
Finance
Service Innovation
Technology & Media Transactions
IT Strategy & Brand Protection
IT Contracts
Outsourcing IT Management & Cloud Computing
Competition Regulatory & Compliance
Data Protection & Security
Licensing & IT Projects

The team has demonstrated a high level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication in handling complex and sophisticated matters. Their ability to navigate intricate legal issues and provide effective solutions has been commendable.”

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024

(......) the team's ability to provice strategic guidance and navigate complex legal frameworks has been invaluable, especially for newly arising service areas such as data security and cross-border transfer compliance.”

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024

Highly active in the technology sector, where it comes recommended for its technical knowledge and creative structuring of tansactions.”

Chambers and Partners

Our China corporate compliance & investigations practice

Our consultancy:

Compliance legal audit
Compliance check / dawn raid / compliance DD
Compliance review
Business partner due diligence
Whistleblowing services
Building / adaptation of a compliance organisation
ESG / CSR

Typical areas covered in previous investigations:

Fraud / Securities Fraud
Misappropriation of Assets, etc.
Bribery / Commercial Bribery
Conflict of Interest
Embezzlement

Frequently recommended law firm for M&A”

JUVE Directory

Mix of very experienced partners with long-term China on-site experience from many industries in conjunction with a strong local team on site. Time difference is also used in a positive manner to get things done in various timezones to comply with our needs.”

Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Our real estate services in China

Our services include:

Advising on the acquisition of land use rights for all kinds of use (commercial, industrial, residential)
Procurement of construction services for major industrial projects
Advising developers in relation to their investment in commercial real estate projects
Drafting and amending of commercial lease agreements

A long-time recognised China practice”

JUVE

Our services in dispute resolution and arbitration

When legal disputes are unavoidable, we take take steps to resolve disputes in a way that is favorable to you through various phases of your projects with customers and suppliers worldwide. When it comes to choosing arbitration, we have profound experiences with all reputable arbitration institutions in China Mainland, i.e.

CIETAC (China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission)
SHIAC (Shanghai International Arbitration Center)
SCIA (South China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission)

as well as with the internationally recognized institutions HKIAC (Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre) and SIAC (Singapore International Arbitration Centre).

Our key areas of focus:

Arbitration, Mediation, ADR
Commercial Litigation
Contract Disputes
Distribution Law
Disputes regarding industrial equipment, engineering and (plant) construction
Procurement & Supplier regress
Disputes along the Supply Chain
Corporate Disputes
D&O Liability
Product Liability Defence

With our offices in Shanghai and Beijing Tailun IP Agency, we are present in the major economic centres in China.

Experience

Taylor Wessing wins UPC first instance proceedings for Hanshow

The UPC found by its Local Division Munich in proceedings for granting preliminary measures regarding patent infringement in favour of Hanshow against SES-imagotag (SES). The court dismissed with the decision SES-imagotag’s application for preliminary measures to prohibit Hanshow to offer and supply certain ESL products in the European contracting states of the UPC.

Taylor Wessing advises Diamond and Wanfeng on securing the future of German air taxi pioneer Volocopter

Taylor Wessing has provided legal advice to Austrian aircraft manufacturer Diamond Aircraft on the reorganization of the German air taxi pioneer Volocopter to secure its future.

Press release

Advising Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd (YOFC) on the acquisition of Radio Frequency Systems’ (RFS) worldwide cable business excluding North-America

Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd (YOFC), a global leading provider of optical fibre preforms, optical fibres, optical fibre cables and integrated solutions listed at the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges, has signed a German law governed agreement to acquire Radio Frequency Systems’ (RFS) worldwide cable business (excluding North-America), a global designer and manufacturer of cable, antenna and tower systems, plus active and passive RF conditioning modules, providing total-package solutions for wireless infrastructure from RFS Holding which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nokia Shanghai.

Press release

Taylor Wessing advises Goodix on the acquisition of Dream Chip Technologies

Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co. Ltd. acquired Dream Chip Technologies GmbH and Dream Chip Technologies B.V. to strengthen its smart device and automotive electronics business.

Press release

Representing our client on SFC Takeovers Panel

A major shareholder of Alibaba Health Information Technology Limited (HKEX: 0241) on the Securities and Futures Commission Takeovers Panel proceedings in relation to the acquisition of CITIC 21CN Co., Limited by Alibaba Group (HKEX: 9988; NYSE: BABA).

HKD290 million acquisition of shares of Auto Brave Limited from Huarong Investment

Acute Peak Investments Limited on the HKD290 million proposed acquisition of shares of Auto Brave Limited, an investment company which is principally engaged in the provision of foundation and substructure construction services in Hong Kong, from Huarong Investment Stock Corporation Limited (HKEX: 2277)

Acquisition of business segment from Danish FLSmitdth

Nantong Rainbow Heavy industries, the Nantong-based manufacturer of heavy machineries (eg portal and overhead cranes) on the acquisition of the "material handling" business segment (including the Wadgassen factory in Saarland / Germany) from the Danish plant manufacturer FLSmitdth.

Qun Huang, lic. iur.

Acquisition of wks Technik GmbH

China Construction Group, a member company of the CASIC Group, on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in wks Technik GmbH.

Acquisition of SMA Railway Technology GmbH

Beijing Dinghan Technology Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese SOE in the engineering sector, on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in SMA Railway Technology GmbH from SMA Solar Technology AG by Hong Kong Dinghan Holdings Group Co., Limited.

Qun Huang, lic. iur.

Dr. Kathrin Monen, LL.M.

HKD56.5 million acquisition of Fire Scorpion Limited by China Saite Group

China Saite Group Company Limited (HKEX: 0153), an integrated steel and prefabricated construction solution provider headquartered in Jiangsu Province, China, on its HKD56.5 million acquisition of Fire Scorpion Limited, a Hong Kong logistics company.

HKD106 million issurance of new shares to Fullshare Holdings Limited by China Saite Group

China Saite Group Company Limited (HKEX: 0153), a integrated steel and prefabricated construction solution provider headquartered in Jiangsu Province, China, on an issuance of approximately HKD106 million worth of new shares to Fullshare Holdings Limited (HKEX: 0607), a leading global provider of healthcare services and integrated green technology solutions.

Australia listing of Boyuan Holdings Limited

Boyuan Holdings Limited (ASX: BHL), a Chinese property developer, on its Australia listing. The listing of Boyuan is the first time a Chinese real estate company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The firm also provided legal and regulatory advice on its pre-IPO restructuring.

USD23 million acquisition of a power plant in Indonesia by ELL Environmental

ELL Environmental Holdings Limited (HKEX: 1395), an environmental solution service provider based in Jiangsu Province, China, on its USD23 million acquisition of a power plant in Jambi city, Indonesia. This is one of the company’s first major acquisition after its Hong Kong listing in 2014 which we also acted on as company counsel.

USD250 million pre-IPO investment into and restructuring of Shanghai Yupei Group Co

A RRJ-led consortium of investors, including Temasek’s hedge fund and SeaTown International Pte Limited, on their USD250 million pre-IPO investment into and restructuring of Shanghai Yupei Group Co (HKEX: 1589) (now known as China Logistics Property Holdings Co. Limited), a China logistics company which was listed in mid-2016.

Acquisition of Metalsa Automotive Hainichen

SUMEC, a member company of China National Machinery Industry Corporation, on the acquisition of Metalsa Automotive Hainichen.

Qun Huang, lic. iur.

Proposed HKD1.5 billion subscription of shares of Far East Holdings

Li Lian Jie (Jet Li)-led consortium on their proposed HKD1.5 billion subscription of shares of Far East Holdings International Limited (HKEX: 0036), a diversified holding company in Hong Kong, and the proposed application of whitewash waiver which did not proceed to completion for commercial and regulatory reasons.

Joint Venture between HASCO and KSPG in Germany

Huayu Automotive Systems (HASCO), a major member company of Shanghai Automotive Group, on a joint venture project in Germany.

Qun Huang, lic. iur.

HKD1.3 billion takeover on CITIC 21CN by Alibaba Group

CITIC 21CN Co., Limited (HKEX: 0241) (now known as Alibaba Health Information Technology Limited), a member of CITIC Group (HKEX: 0267), on a HKD1.3 billion takeover by Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA; HKEX: 9988) (one of China's largest e-commerce companies) and Yunfeng Capital (the venture capital firm set up by Alibaba Group founder, Jack Ma). Alibaba and Yunfeng obtained a whitewash waiver and took a controlling stake without triggering a mandatory general offer.

Acquisition of a business division of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG

Masterwork Group (MK) on the acquisition of a business division of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG.