The Nationalist Agenda Behind China Opening Up to Foreign Banks

China’s Nationalist Agenda Behind Its Opening Up to Foreign Banks

In a recent op-ed, I wrote how the controversy over Disney’s Mulan embodies some of the ethical dilemmas and pitfalls that face companies doing business in China. On one hand, to maintain their presence in China these companies must comply with the demands and expectations of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). On the other hand,

international classroom

So You Want to Start an International School? Legal Structure and Local Partner

Contents of this Article: 1. Legal Structure 2. Local Partner 3. Choosing the Right Deal Structure 4. Protect Your School’s Intellectual Property Demand for English-based and Western-style education is still running high in many countries around the world. An ever-increasing number of wealthy locals want to prepare their children to attend elite universities abroad and

A Legal Checklist for Doing Business Internationally

Contents of this Article: Confirm Legality Create a Contract Protect Your Intellectual Property Comply With Export Control Laws Understand Employment Laws Comply With Tax Rules Lawyers love checklists, and we international business lawyers are no exception. Me, I love clients, not only because they are the lifeblood of my law firm and thus my livelihood,

raining on city

Requiem for Hong Kong

A few weeks ago, in Hong Kong’s Saddest Day, we echoed legislator Tanya Chan’s sentiment after China’s rubber-stamp National People’s Congress announced it would enact national security legislation for the city.  As sad as that fateful May 21 was, we warned “the days ahead could be much sadder” for Hong Kong. Unfortunately, that prediction has

man giving business presentation

Doing Business Internationally: The 101

Just got back from teaching an International Law course at Indiana University’s Maurer School of Law in Bloomington, IN. I team taught this course with an experienced and excellent law professor, Professor Hannah Buxbaum. Professor Buxbaum is a powerhouse and I ended up learning a ton from both her and the students in the class. Teaching

China IP Protections

China’s New Foreign Investment Law and Intellectual Property Protections

Contents of this Article: How the new Foreign Investment Law will change intellectual property rights for foreign companies in China Overview of foreign direct investment (FDI) protections for intellectual property rights (IPR) in mainland China FDI Reform: the New National Statute Will Overhaul Current FDI Protections for IPR The FIL Overhaul Will Maintain and Build

tourists in macau

Macau vs. Hong Kong: And the Winner is Singapore

Hello Macau, goodbye Hong Kong. This has been the main theme surrounding Chairman Xi Jinping’s visit to Macau to mark the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony’s transfer of sovereignty to China. Besides sending a not-so-subtle message to “bad student” Hong Kong, Xi is “expected to announce new policies aimed at diversifying the casino