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Michael Zhang

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Michael Zhang is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group, Antitrust Practice Group and the Intellectual Property Practice Groups. Michael is also the Managing Partner of the firm's Shanghai office.

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On January 3, 2025, the Cyberspace Administration of China (the “CAC”) released the Draft Measures for Personal Information Protection Certification for Cross-Border Data Transfers (the “Draft Measures”) for public comment. Following the Implementation Rules for Personal Information Protection Certification (the “Implementation Rules”) and the Cybersecurity Standards Practice Guidelines – Security Certification Specifications for Cross-Border Processing of Personal Information V2.0 (TC260-PG-20222A) in 2022, the Draft Measures provides additional details with respect to key aspects of the certification process, including its applicability, evaluation criteria, implementation process, use of certification results, and post-certification supervision. Continue Reading Draft Measures for Personal Information Protection Certification for Cross-Border Data Transfers Released for Public Comment

China’s Company Law was initially enacted in 1993, and was subsequently amended in 1999, 2004, 2013, 2018, and 2005. On December 29, 2023, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress approved a comprehensive amendment to the Company Law (as amended, the “New Company Law”). The New Company Law will come into effect on July 1, 2024. Under the New Company Law, 228 articles have been amended, which will impact many aspects of the governance and operations of Chinese companies, including but not limited to a company’s capital structure, corporate governance, shareholders’ obligation to contribute capital, duties of directors and officers, the effects of corporate resolutions, corporate bonds, the registration of a company, etc. In this and a few subsequent posts, we will explain in more detail the changes introduced under the New Company Law.Continue Reading Amendment to China’s Company Law (1): Contribution of Capital and Authorized Capital Concept

中国正式发布《促进和规范数据跨境流动规定》

On March 22, 2024, nearly six months after the release of the “draft Provisions on Regulating and Promoting Cross-border Data Transfer” (the “Draft Rules”), the Cybersecurity Administration of China (the “CAC”) formally released the “Regulations on Facilitating and Regulating Cross-border Data Flow” (the “New Regulations”), which came into effect on the date of release.Continue Reading China Issues Regulations on Facilitating and Regulating Cross-Border Data Flow

On January 26, 2024, the State Council of China published the “Regulations of the Filing Threshold for Operators’ Concentration (2024 Revision)” (the “New Filing Threshold”), which took effect on the same day. This amendment to the filing thresholds for operators’ concentration will enhance the allocation of anti-monopoly enforcement resources, and represents another step China takes to improve its competition policy, and foster the development of a more transparent and efficient competition regulatory framework.Continue Reading China Raises Turnover Threshold for Anti-Monopoly Filing in M&A Deals

On May 8, 2023, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”), along with 13 other government departments of the PRC, issued the “Key Highlights for Combating Corruption in the Medicine Purchase and Sale Industry and Medical Services Industry for the Year 2023” to launch a comprehensive anti-corruption campaign in the pharmaceutical industry. Subsequently, local health commissions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Hainan, and various other provinces and cities in the PRC released notices for corrective actions specifically targeting the pharmaceutical industry. On August 15, 2023, the National Health Commission of the PRC further unveiled the “Questions and Answers Regarding the Comprehensive Anti-Corruption Campaign in the Pharmaceutical Industry,” providing additional direction and guidance on the anti-corruption campaign. All these actions collectively have had and will continue to have a profound impact on the pharmaceutical industry in China.Continue Reading Overview of Recent Anti-Corruption Enforcement Actions in the Pharmaceutical Industry in China

Introduction:

This article examines the regulatory framework outlined in the “Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Privately-Offered Investment Funds” in China. It provides an overview of the new regulations and their implications for privately-offered fund managers, custodians, and service agencies. Understanding and complying with these regulations is essential for stakeholders in the Chinese investment fund industry.Continue Reading Regulatory Framework for Privately-Offered Investment Funds in China: Implications and Compliance

According to the State Council’s Institutional Reform Plan released on March 7, 2023, the State Council will establish a National Bureau of Data (“NBD”), and it will be administrated by the National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”). Pursuant to the announced responsibilities, the NBD will be in charge of “coordinating the construction of data infrastructure, integrating and sharing data resources, and promoting the planning and development of digital China, digital economy, and digital society.”Continue Reading China to Establish National Bureau of Data

On December 24, 2021, China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) issued draft rules and measures on the direct and indirect offshore listings of onshore companies for public comments.  The deadline for submitting public comments is January 23, 2022.
Continue Reading China Securities Regulatory Commission Issued Proposed Rules on Offshore Listing

When Chinese investors are considering US targets, it is important to keep in mind the requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (“HSR Act”). For deals meeting certain thresholds, the HSR Act requires the parties to submit HSR filings to FTC and DOJ, pay a filing fee, and wait 30 days before closing. The purpose of this is to permit FTC and DOJ to investigate the potential antitrust and competition issues before the transaction closes. Failure to make a filing and/or observe the 30-day waiting period can have severe consequences. Currently, the maximum civil penalty for noncompliance is $43,792 per day.
Continue Reading HSR Considerations For Chinese Investors In U.S. Companies 投资美国企业的中国投资者在HSR申报中需要注意的问题

Year 2020 definitely is a milestone year for China in building up and strengthening its regulatory legislation in the field of international trade.  Following the Regulations on Unreliable Entity List (“UEL”), the Export Control Law came out on October 17 and will come into effect on December 1, 2020.  Obviously, this Export Control Law of the PRC (“Export Control Law”) is one of the most important bricks to China’s regulatory Great Wall in the ongoing trade war to protect its key national security and interests.

Here is our quick bird’s-eye view of this new Export Control Law and some preliminary thoughts on its possible impact to the future cross-border transactions and multinationals’ China operations.
Continue Reading New Export Control Law: China Strengthens its Regulatory “Great Wall”