Legal Insights

Practical guidance on Chinese law for international businesses and individuals.

Contract Disputes

Resolving Foreign-Related Contract Disputes in China: A Practical Guide to Arbitration and Litigation

12 min read

When a foreign natural person or a foreign enterprise transacts with a company or an individual in China and a contract dispute arises, how should the dispute be resolved? Should the parties submit the dispute to arbitration, or bring an action in court? Which court or arbitral institution has jurisdiction? Which country’s law applies? How should a lawyer be retained? How long will the process take? Based on the current laws of the People’s Republic of China, this article sets out the complete procedures for resolving foreign-related contract disputes through arbitration and through litigation respectively, for the reference of parties to foreign-related contracts.

Commercial Law

Establishing a Wholly Foreign-Owned Limited Liability Company in China: A Practical Guide

12 min read

This guide applies only to the case where a foreign natural person acts as the shareholder in establishing a wholly foreign-owned limited liability company in mainland China. Different rules apply to Sino-foreign equity joint ventures and foreign-invested joint stock companies. China administers foreign investment under a system of pre-establishment national treatment combined with a negative list. In sectors outside the negative list, foreign and domestic investment are governed by unified rules; in restricted sectors on the negative list, special management requirements regarding equity structure, senior management and the like must be satisfied; and in prohibited sectors, foreign investors may not invest at all.

Intellectual Property Protection

Die Änderungen der Prüfungsstandards für KI-Patentanmeldungen in der neuen chinesischen Patentprüfungsrichtlinie

11 min read

Der Beschluss des Staatlichen Amtes für geistiges Eigentum über die Änderung der „Richtlinien für die Patentprüfung“, veröffentlicht am 10. November 2025 als Verordnung Nr. 84 des Staatlichen Amtes für geistiges Eigentum, tritt am 1. Januar 2026 in Kraft.

Labor Law

Compliance Essentials and Key Considerations for Employer Termination of Labor Contracts

10 min read

This article, based on the currently effective provisions of the Labor Contract Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations for the Implementation of the Labor Contract Law of the People's Republic of China, systematically sets out the applicable conditions, compliant operational procedures, and compensation standards for mutual-consent termination, termination for cause, no-fault termination, economic layoff, and unlawful termination.

Marriage and Family Law

Practical Guide to Marriage Registration in Mainland China between Mainland Residents and Foreigners, Overseas Chinese, or Residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan

10 min read

Eligibility, Competent Authorities, Statutory Procedures, Required Documents, Instrument Authentication, Prohibited Circumstances, and Beijing-Specific Requirements

Inheritance

Introduction to the Inheritance System in Mainland China

9 min read

This article introduces, in turn, the scope of the estate, intestate succession, testate succession, legacies, legacy-support agreements, acceptance and renunciation of inheritance, and forfeiture of the right of inheritance.

Other

Foreigners Working and Residing in China—A Practical Guide to Work Visas and Residence Permits

8 min read

Foreigners who work in China are required by law to obtain both a work permit and a work-type residence permit. Based on current Chinese laws and regulations, this article focuses on the matters relating to working and residing in China as a foreigner. Following the order in which the procedures are actually handled, it explains the difference between "stay" and "residence", the application for a work permit, the application for a work visa, the work-type residence permit to be obtained after entry, and the extension, modification and risk matters. It is intended for foreigners who plan to work in China or who already work there, and for their employing entities.