By Frank Mulligan

Expatriates are a big part of the business life in China. They have brought a good amount of technology, management and practical knowledge to bear on the challenges that face China’s industrial base. In many ways you could say that they brought a new manufacturing platform to China and the economy has been at least partly built around it.

Unfortunately, expatriates tend to bring both the good and the bad with them. It cannot really be any other way, and it’s not in any way a criticism. Read the rest of “Mature Workers” or post a comment

By Jeremy Gordon

Starbucks seems to be everywhere in China’s big cities (it has around 200 branches) and locals and expats alike can be found reading, meeting and drinking the high-priced hot stuff. The success of Starbucks in China has been hailed as a victory for a foreign consumer brand, and proof that urban Chinese consumers will spend money for the right product / service / experience.
Read the rest of “A (Consumer) Storm in a (Foreign) Coffee Cup” or post a comment

On his first visit to China in 2004, Alexander de Nerée liked what he saw. So when he was asked to set up De Nerée Advocates in Hong Kong, it did not take him long to decide.
“I am really fascinated by China, but I also feel fortunate to be living in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is really ‘China-light’. Not so much fun, but healthier for you. With the fairly Westernised attitude of the Hong Kong people and the relatively high standard of English, the business climate for foreigners is better here then in most parts of China. It’s like Switzerland in Asia. Everything is well-organised and clean.”

So there is not much work to do for lawyers in Hong Kong then? “Quite the opposite. Many businesses choose Hong Kong as their base to start operations in Asia. An obvious choice: all the leading banks, insurers and accountants are around the corner. Hong Kong also plays an important role because of its favourable tax regulations and the excellent legal infrastructure. It is actually a sort of ‘home away from home’. A safe haven to start if you are looking to do business in mainland China. Where of course other legal concepts and basic business rules apply. In that last category, when clients ask about do’s and don’ts I generally advise them to Read the rest of “Lawyer’s advice on legal self-protection in China” or post a comment