Law

Whether you want to regain control, stay in the market or make a clean break, here’s how to manage a breakdown with your Chinese distributor, and how to avoid it becoming a full-blown disaster If Part 1 of this series focused on what brands must do to prepare before signing with a Chinese distributor, Part 2 explores the more difficult scenario: what happens if that relationship breaks down? As Zarina …

Making sure you have the right distributor before you enter the market is essential to ensure your brand’s IP is protected and you won’t come unstuck further down the line. In the first of this two-part series, we explain what to do in advance of finding a Chinese partner It’s no secret that the Chinese market offers immense opportunities for international brands. But engaging a distributor without thorough preparation can …

China’s latest rules on facial recognition technology introduce mandatory registration for companies handling significant volumes of personal data, alongside a practical guide to compliance In an era where facial recognition technology is increasingly embedded in daily life, from unlocking smartphones to streamlining payments, China has introduced robust regulations to ensure its responsible use. On March 21, 2025, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) …

China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law (AFSL), in place since June 2021, has been updated with new regulations from the State Council, released in March 2025. These clarify how the law works and what it means for businesses operating in China. For British companies, particularly those balancing operations in China with ties to markets like the UK or US, it’s worth understanding these rules to stay on the right track. What’s the …

2024 was a standout year for intellectual property (IP) in China and around the world. In this article, Lydia Topping and Peter Mumford from Potter Clarkson LLP spotlight some of the most exciting IP developments from the Chinese market in 2024 China’s new patent extensions: A game-changer for innovators Exclusivity for pharmaceuticals in China has taken a giant leap forward with the introduction of new patent term extension (PTE), a …

Foreign companies and multinationals in China can be vulnerable to internal corruption. Lapses in judgment or inadequate defence procedures may make them liable for crimes committed by employees It is therefore imperative that all companies in China understand the types of behaviours that are illegal under China’s criminal and anti unfair competition laws. This article discusses China’s legislation on commercial corruption and offers advice on preventing acts of fraud, embezzlement …

The Market Access Negative List outlines the areas where investors first need to obtain regulatory approval, a licence, or a permit regardless of whether they’re a foreign or domestic company. This year’s list reduces the number from 123 items to 117 Last Friday, China’s National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) and Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) published draft revisions to the Market Access Negative List (hereafter referred to as ‘the List’). …

One year on from the National Security Law, how well is China balancing its desire to incorporate Hong Kong fully into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) with allowing the city to remain the financial capital of Asia? Writes Joe Cash The Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) provoked considerable conversation when introduced by China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) in June 2020. Spooked by its seemingly sudden introduction, foreign business leaders …

Recent modifications to the laws governing the promotion of private education in China have been seen as a cause for concern by some in the industry, but the international education market in China remains strong On 14 May 2021, China issued a revision to the Regulations on the Implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Promotion of Privately-run Schools. The modifications come into effect on …

China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law provides a stronger legal basis to the sanctions China has administered to date. However, as Joe Cash writes, this is not necessarily a cause for alarm, as companies should remember that ‘blocking statutes’ are pieces of legislation that all sophisticated actors in international trade have, but few use On 10 June, the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress approved a sweeping law designed to counter …