Chinese businesses typically want a simple, specific, concrete proposal to which they can respond. If the foreign side leaves the structure vague, the Chinese side will usually have nothing to say. In this situation, a deal that may be good for both sides never gets done because neither side can bring it to the point where the real bargain is negotiated. The Chinese side virtually always wants to show its cards last. If you do not show your cards first, there will be no cards back from the Chinese side.

Doing business with China just got another level of riskier. That's because these days, what The CCP Does In China Does NOT Stay in China. Ten years ago, our China lawyers would explain to our clients how what they did in China might redound to their detriment outside China. Three years ago, our China lawyers would explain to our clients how what the CCP is doing in China might redound to our client's detriment outside China. And now, our clients are explaining to us how what the CCP is doing in China might redound to our client's detriment outside China.