China Desk
International Desk · Germany
Doing business between Germany, Europe and China means navigating different legal, regulatory and commercial environments. Whether you are entering the Chinese market, expanding your existing operations or investing from China into Germany and Europe, our China Desk helps you manage all legal aspects of your plans.
Inbound: Doing business in China?
Whether you are entering the market, acquiring a business, establishing a joint venture or expanding your existing operations, getting the legal and regulatory framework right from the outset is essential.
We advise German, European and US companies on market entry, investments and M&A, joint ventures, corporate and commercial matters, employment, IP and technology transfer, data and cybersecurity, competition and disputes.
Are you a German, European or American company operating in China and need advice?
Or visit our Shanghai office page to learn more about our local expertise.
China Inbound – Selected Corporate/M&A Experience
We have worked for a large number of clients across a wide range of industries to support their businesses and operations in China. Our team has extensive experience in the acquisition of shares and assets of both Chinese domestic companies (some of them State-owned enterprises) and foreign-invested enterprises, as well as establishment of joint ventures, both greenfield projects, i.e. establishment of NewCos, and transformation of Chinese domestic companies into Sino-foreign joint ventures as result of the acquisition of shares. Below is an excerpt from our track record.
- An innovator and provider of optics equipment, technology and solutions headquartered in Germany | Advice on a series of acquisition projects in China, including acquisition of three domestic manufacturing companies in China; acquisition of a Chinese company and its subsidiaries; and establishment of a joint venture with two Shanghai companies for the production of smart glasses, including complex corporate governance advice
- An Austrian plant engineering group | Advice on a series of strategic acquisitions in China, including acquisition of a Chinese electrical equipment company; acquisition of shares in a Chinese provider of technology products and services; acquisition of a business group from a publicly listed company in the US with operations and subsidiaries in the US, UK and China; and acquisition of shares in an Italian target company with a subsidiary in China
- A German provider of intralogistics solutions and material handling equipment | Advice on investment in a listed company in China
The above is only a small selection of our experience, please download our more extended list or contact our China Desk team to learn more about our experience in Corporate/M&A and other practice areas.
Selected Corporate/M&A Experience - China Inbound
A selected track record of our Inbound Corporate/M&A Experience
Outbound: Investing from China into Germany or Europe?
Chinese companies investing in Germany and Europe face a different legal and regulatory landscape. We advise on acquisitions and joint ventures as well as greenfield investments and day to day advice of European operations.
Our support covers M&A, foreign investment control and regulatory approvals, compliance, real estate, corporate law and governance, as well as post-transaction integration.
Know-how across key industries
Understanding the legal issues is only part of the picture. Effective advice also requires an understanding of your business, your industry and the market in which you operate.
Our China teams have experience across:
- Automotive & Mobility
- Consumer Products
- Energy & Climate Change
- Hospitality, Travel & Leisure
- Infrastructure & Projects
- Insurance
- Life Sciences & Healthcare
- Private Equity
- TMC – Technology, Media & Communications
What should be on your radar?
We provide regular updates on legal and regulatory developments that matter to companies doing business between China and Europe.
Read the latest Legal Updates for the Chinese market.
Talk to our team in China
Whether you are entering a new market, making an investment, pursuing a transaction or dealing with an issue in your day-to-day business, we can connect you with the right people for your project.
One team across China, Germany and Europe
Cross-border projects can involve multiple jurisdictions and areas of law. You should not have to coordinate them all yourself.
Our China Desk connects the right people for your project across China, Germany and other European markets. With offices in Beijing and Shanghai and numerous legal professionals working for CMS in China, we combine local knowledge with the wider capabilities of our European teams.
Related Experts
Local market knowledge. Global outlook
We provide future-facing legal advice to help your organisation thrive. Combining local market knowledge and a global perspective, and with lawyers in locations worldwide, your organisation benefits from the expertise it needs, even across borders.
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