Breaking Barriers: Trade Challenges Facing Chinese Enterprises

Dr. iur. Dr. phil. Adolf PETER, LL.M., MA, CSE is Professor at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law (SHUPL), Consultant at the international law firm Fieldfisher (Vienna Office) and Co-Chair of the Legal & Compliance Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai focusing on international commercial arbitration, the enforcement of ESG standards in international supply chains and EU law. A selection panel established by the European Commission found Dr. Peter suitable for appointment for the position of Arbitrator and Trade and Sustainable Development Expert in bilateral disputes under the EU’s trade agreements with third countries.

In his capacity as Certified Supervisory Expert recognized by the Austrian Economic Chambers (WKO) he holds specialized one-day seminars for the WKO in Vienna directed at supervisory board members of companies.

Dr. Peter is the author of numerous arbitration- and ESG-related publications in international law journals and the book “CSR and Codes of Business Ethics in the USA, Austria (EU) and China and their Enforcement in International Supply Chain Arbitrations” (ISBN: 978-981-33-6072-3).

He is listed as arbitrator in 10 international arbitration institutions, including the Shanghai International Arbitration Center (SHIAC), the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), the China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC), the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC), the Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC Reserve Panel), the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC), etc.

Jianlin Ni is the partner of Dentons Shanghai Office. Dr. Ni got his Doctor Degree in law fromthe  University of International Business and Economics in 2001. In September 2003, Dr. Ni led a delegation from Shanghai to attend three-month European Training Program on WTO Affairs in the EU and WTO headquarters. In October 2018, as one of National Leading Talents for Foreign-Related Legal Practice, Dr. Ni attended and completed the 1-month Training Program on Investment and Cross Border M&A from International Law Institute in the USA.

Dr. Ni practices international trade, anti-dumping, trade compliance,M&A, FDI, PE and international commercial dispute resolution.

Dr. Ni is a well-trained expert on international trade law and is experienced in resolving international trade disputes. He has represented more than 30 domestic companies in anti-dumping investigation cases initiated by foreign government. In the anti-dumping and countervailing investigation against Chinese solar panels initiated by EU, he represented many large domestic companies andthe provincial government.

Dr. Ni has advised many multinational companies and PE with respect to their FDI and M&A projects in China. Dr. Ni advised Chinese companies on their outbound investment and acquisition. The FTZ legal service team led by Dr. Ni is a leading team in the field of FTZ service and has accomplished dozens of ODI projects. Dr. Ni is the lecturer of FTZ training programs held by the Shanghai Bar Association and participates in publishing the first compilation of FTZ laws and regulations in China.

Kai is the Managing Partner of Allen & Gledhill China and a Partner of Allen & Gledhill Singapore. He leads our practice and growth in China and leads our engagements in the Chinese market, covering inbound and outbound investments and multi-jurisdictional matters involving China.

Kai is native Singaporean and a Permanent Resident in China. He has close to 25 years of experience in total and over 20 years of experience in China and Hong Kong SAR. His areas of practice include international mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures and investments, white-collar investigations, capital markets, corporate and commercial advisory, private wealth, and regulatory and compliance. He also has litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution experience.

Kai has extensive experience leading and advising on global M&A and investment transactions, covering all aspects such as transaction structuring, due diligence, negotiations, transaction documentation, transaction implementation, post-closing integration, and regulatory and compliance. He has led and advised on multi-jurisdictional corporate misconduct and white-collar investigations. He has led and advised on listings and capital markets transactions on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Singapore Stock Exchange, covering all aspects such as IPOs, capital raising, equity and debt issues, acquisitions, and disposals, and regulatory and compliance.

Lai Hailong comes from Shanghai Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Group Co.,Ltd. (“SPTD” ) and heads the SPTD Legal Department for handling domestic and oversea legal affairs. SPTD is a leading state-owned enterprise with diversified operations spanning Key sectors, e.g., transmission and distribution equipment, green energy, project EPC service & infrastructure, and its tech R&D.

Mr. Lai rendered legal strategy for oversea investment,  Mega EPC, M&A, compliance, dispute and project finance under hundreds of green and traditional projects located in Asian, Europe, South American, Africa and middle east.

Mr. Lai leading its team provided legal support and service on the wide range of laws including corporation M&A and governance, litigation and arbitration, risk identification and mitigation, intellectual property, cross-border transaction and legal training delivery.

They are committed to fostering a culture of problem-resolving orientation, integrity, and accountability, ensuring that in-house legal strategies not only protect the SPTD but also drive sustainable growth of the SPTD.

Dr. Ulrike Glueck is Managing Partner and Head of Corporate Practice Area Group and TMC Sector Group of CMS, China.

Ulrike has been working on-site in China since 1998 and has over 27 years experience in China-related work. She has advised a large number of companies in various industry sectors in projects relating to M&A, foreign direct investment and restructuring.

Ulrike also led the team in China to win a series of awards. These include Best International Law Firms by China Business Law Journal in 2024, Leading Firm for Corporate and M&A in China: Foreign Firms by Legal 500 in 2017-2024, Leading Firm in TMT: Foreign Firms by Legal 500 in 2017-2024 etc. Ulrike has been recognized as one of China’s Top Lawyers by China Business Law Journal in 2016, 2017, 2019-2024. In 2018-2024, Ulrike was nominated as Dealmaker of the Year by Thomson Reuters Asian Legal Business. In 2018, the Shanghai Municipal Government awarded her the Silver Magnolia Award for her contributions to the development of Shanghai.

Mr. Chunyang Shao is a partner of JunHe LLP and currently practices at Shanghai office as the managing partner.

Mr. Shao specializes in corporate, foreign investment, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, securities, banking, international trade, infrastructure & project finance.

Mr. Shao has represented various multinational corporations and investment funds on their investments and mergers and acquisitions in China. In the meantime, Mr. Shao has acted as PRC counsel for either the issuer or the underwriter for the IPO and domestic or offshore listing of PRC conglomerates or high-growth companies. Mr. Shao has also been active in the practice areas of general commercial, international trade, ODI, foreign direct investment, venture capital, PE investment, real estate, infrastructure and project finance, commercial arbitration and litigation.

In recognition of his extensive experience in the capital market, Mr. Shao was elected by Chambers Global as “The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (2007-2024).  Mr. Shao is elected by Chambers Asia-Pacific as the Eminent Practitioner and the Senior Statespeople in Capital Markets: Debt & Equity (PRC Firms) in 2019 and 2021. Mr. Shao is listed as one of the Best Lawyers of PRC by the Ministry of Justice of PRC in 2021 and one of the Excellent Lawyers in Shanghai by Shanghai Bar Association in 2023.

Linian Li is managing and developing Modern Water’s business in China and formulating company ‘s strategy. She has double master degrees, MBA in Natural Resources Energy & Environment from University of Alberta, Canada and Master in Management, Grande Ecole Programme from EDHEC Business School, France. An executive with more than ten years of management experience in sales, marketing, business development, project management, corporate strategy, personnel, P&L and general management in international companies, including JCDecaux, GM Europe GmbH, Carat, Rouse & Co., International. And a self-motivated strategic thinker with determination and effective leadership skills posses extensive real life experience in the business and social cultures of Asia, Europe and North America.