The antitrust practice at Clifford Chance LLP advises both multinational and national clients on a range of issues such as high-profile, global joint acquisitions, Asian regional deals, and restructuring and mergers. Yong Bai leads the practice, utilising his previous experience at MOFCOM to advise clients on the full spectrum of antitrust issues. Foreign legal counsel Dayu Man (New York qualified) joined the Hong Kong office in 2022, so strengthening the team's expertise in global merger control practices. Zibo Liu acts as counsel on merger controls, antitrust investigations, and mock dawn raids.
Antitrust and competition: foreign firms in China
Clifford Chance LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Yong Bai
Autres avocats clés:
Dayu Man; Zibo Liu
Les références
‘Clifford Chance LLP have enriched experience in handling complex and high-profile merger filings both in China and globally. They frequently work on complicated multi-jurisdictional filings for leading Chinese clients for their overseas investments across the globe.’
‘Yong Bai, Dayu Man and Zibo Liu are experienced lawyers in the antitrust practice in China. They form a highly diversified team with strong legal skills and commercial awareness. ’
‘The team is very precise about anti-monopoly policies and businesses of overseas countries and can meet the needs and concerns of customers. They respond to customer concerns efficiently. Due to the team’s outstanding capabilities and rich experience it can predict well the approval time of the relevant countries’ governments.’
Principaux clients
Airbus
China Baowu Steel Group
China Three Gorges Spain
Abbott
Permira
Volkswagen (China) Investment Co.
Tencent
Carrefour
Hang Seng Bank Limited
ORIX Corporation
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Airbus, Safran, and Tikehau Investment Management on their joint acquisition of Aubert & Duval, a strategic supplier of critical parts and materials.
- Advised China Baowu Steel Group on its acquisition of 100% interest in Sinosteel Group Corporation, both are fully owned by Central SASAC.
- Advising Abbott on a resale price maintenance (RPM) investigation led by the Shanghai administration for market regulation.
Linklaters
Linklaters‘ antitrust and foreign investment group excels at advising its varied client base on complex merger controls and providing expertise on investigations and litigation. The team uses its expansive knowledge to provide advice in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and automotive industries. Clients include large multinationals and Chinese state-owned enterprises. Beijing-based Fay Zhou heads up the team specialising in competition law and regulatory issues for both multinational and local clients. She uses her experience at China’s Ministry of Commerce to assist with regulatory issues and often acts as an advisor to Chinese authorities, ensuring her team has a strong relationship with SAMR. The firm runs a joint operation with Zhao Sheng Law Firm where co-heads Xi Liao and Arthur Peng work as part of an integrated team. Qiuying Zheng and Larry Zhou both handle high-profile cases of merger control/compliance, investigations and regulatory issues.
Responsables de la pratique:
Fay Zhou; Xi Liao; Arthur Peng
Autres avocats clés:
Qiuying Zheng; Larry Zhou
Les références
‘Fay Zhou and her team have been deeply involved in the field of China’s anti-monopoly law for many years, participated in legal discussions, represented many clients in antimonopoly investigations, and assisted clients in establishing antimonopoly compliance systems. Her knowledge of monopoly legal rules is rare in a lawyer.’
‘Fay Zhou is an outstanding professional. She has clear communication with her customers, is timely and completes her work well.’
Principaux clients
Ams
AstraZeneca
Bayer
BP
Carriers
China Merchants Group
China National Nuclear Corporation
Glencore
Intel
Johnson & Johnson
Linde
Microsoft
Nestle
Novartis
Peugeon
Siemens
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Microsoft on the Chinese merger filing for its US$70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- Advising Intel on China regulatory aspects of its $5.4bn acquisition of Tower Semiconductors.
- Advising Novozymes A/S on its $12.3bn merger with Chr. Hansen Holding.
A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman works together with its joint operation Lang Yue Law Firm to advise clients across multiple sectors and jurisdictions on their antitrust issues. The firm represents clients in merger control filings, cartel investigations, and arbitration cases. Recently the team has been engaging in more antitrust litigation work due to growing enforcement activities and private actions within China. François Renard chairs the practice with a history of representing clients in complex proceedings and merger control investigations. Working alongside Renard is Vivian Cao who joined Lang Yue in January 2023 from Zhao Sheng Law Firm to lead the antitrust practice there.
Responsables de la pratique:
François Renard; Vivian Cao
Principaux clients
Maersk
Evonik
Contemporary Amperex Technology and Luoyang
Guohong Investment Holding Group
Advent
DSM
Cargill
Corio Generation
BMT Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Maersk on the acquisition of LF Logistics, a $3.6 billion cross-border merger.
- Advised Evonik on the merger filings in China for its establishment of a polymethacrylimide foam joint venture with the affiliates of AVIC Aviation High-Technology.
- Advised Contemporary Amperex Technology and Luoyang Guohong Investment Holding Group on multi-jurisdictional merger control analysis of the strategic restructuring investment in Sichuan Contemporary Amperex Technology.
Baker McKenzie FenXun
Baker McKenzie FenXun advises clients on a range of cross-border antitrust and competition matters alongside their Beijing-based joint operation FenXun Partners. The practice handles merger controls as well as global cartels and competition investment issues for its local and international clientele. Practice head Stephen Crosswell leads the team from Hong Kong advising on complex multi-jurisdictional cartel investigations, merger clearance for M&A transactions, and competition audits. Laura Liu from FenXun Partners works closely with the team. Tom Jenkins joined as special counsel in January 2023 from Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL in Belgium.
Responsables de la pratique:
Stephen Crosswell
Autres avocats clés:
Laura Liu; Tom Jenkins
Principaux clients
APG Asset Management
Archer Daniels Midland Singapore
Assicurazioni Generali (Generali)
Aztiq
Boston Scientific Corporation
British Telecom
CapitaLand Investment
City Garden Hotel
EQT
PT Vale Indonesia
Siam Cement Group
Sika
Temasek
Tencent Holding Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted Generali with its submission of merger notifications in Thailand in relation to its stepping up of shareholding in AXA AFFIN General Insurance Berhad and AXA AFFIN Life Insurance Berhad.
- Advised Siam Cement Group on the merger control aspects of the amalgamation of Siam Cement Logistics Limited (SGL) and JWD Infologistics (JWD).
- Advising Tencent Holdings Limited on multiple high-profile deals in numerous jurisdictions globally.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
The competition and antitrust team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP works closely with its corporate and dispute practices to advise on merger transactions and competition law enforcement cases including SASAC controlled Chinese state owned enterprises. Chairing the team, Adelaide Luke specialises in Hong Kong competition law but also handles antitrust and merger control within China. In Shanghai at its joint operation Kewei Law Firm, Frances Xu assists on all aspects of competition law. Senior associate Howard Chan is knowledgeable on competition law regimes across Asia, while associate Hazel Xu focuses on commodity trading and M&As.
Responsables de la pratique:
Adelaide Luke
Autres avocats clés:
Frances Xu; Howard Chan; Hazel Xu
Principaux clients
Marriott International
Santos
South32 Group
Synthomer
Equinor ASA, Hydro Rein, and Scatec
Minth Group and Renault
Altra Industrial Motion
Genus
Comcast Corporation
Principaux dossiers
- Advising South32 on the merger filings of its acquisition of a 45% shareholding in the Sierra Gorda copper mine in Chile.
- Advising Synthomer on competition aspects of its $1 billion acquisition of the adhesive resins business of Eastman Chemical Company.
- Advising Renault and Minth Group on competition aspects of formation of a joint venture to manufacture and supply aluminium battery casings.
Hogan Lovells International LLP
The competition and antitrust team at Hogan Lovells International LLP sits within its global antitrust, competition, and economic regulation practice enabling the firm to integrate its work with other key antitrust jurisdictions. Its work encompasses both merger and non-merger issues, including government and internal investigations as well as counselling work. TMT is where the team shines, advising major local and international technology and internet companies on the full scope of their antitrust issues. Adrian Emch leads the team from Beijing, utilising his expertise to advise on merger controls, cartel/abuse of dominance investigations, and competition law. Associate Qing Lyu advises national and multinational companies on conduct investigations, policy analysis, and antitrust compliance.
Responsables de la pratique:
Adrian Emch
Autres avocats clés:
Qing Lyu
Les références
‘The firm boasts transnational networks and has an international perspective on issues.’
‘Adrian Emch has a profound background in EU competition law and more than ten years of experience in practicing Chinese antimonopoly law. When advising on competition law for our European company in China, his advantages are unsurpassed by any Chinese lawyer. Adrian has always maintained an excellent professional level, fast response speed, and provided us with pragmatic, concise, and implementable legal opinions.’
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Stumpf Group on the global antitrust filings of selling a minority shareholding in the Exyte Group to funds managed by BDT Capital Partners.
Jones Day
Jones Day utilises its global approach to aid in antitrust investigations and litigations both inside and outside of China. Domestic and international clients regularly seek out the practice for antitrust advice and merger reviews. Hong Kong-based Peter Wang leads on the antitrust and litigation practices, establishing himself as a go-to for M&A and non-merger investigations for US and Chinese clients. Yizhe Zhang and Qiang Xue (who is valued for his 'profound knowledge of government regulation and anti-monopoly law') are well qualified to advise on Chinese enforcement agencies’ investigations and decision-making practices. In Beijing, Yichen Wu handles merger filing reviews and private litigation, while Lawrence Wang focuses on pre-merger notifications and antitrust government investigations.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Wang
Autres avocats clés:
Yizhe Zhang; Qiang Xue; Yichen Wu; Lawrence Wan
Les références
‘ The team led by Qiang Xue has helped us handle some of our most significant and complex legal matters. Their feedback is timely, can fully consider the actual business situation, and the legal opinions given are easy to implement. Jones Day has a strong overseas litigation, government supervision, and antimonopoly business team.’
‘Qiang Xue has profound knowledge of government regulation and anti-monopoly law. Due to his experience working in a domestic regulatory agency he has a more accurate understanding of the needs and problems of domestic clients.’
‘The lawyers of the Jones Day antimonopoly team corporate well, have high professionalism and rich business experience. They can provide customers with the best service in the fastest time.’
Principaux clients
Marubeni Corporation
Evoqua Water Technologies
Shanghai Energy New Materials Technology Co.
NVIDIA
ENI
Roper Technologies
China Eastern Airlines
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Marubeni Corporation on the sale of the global grain business of Gavilon Agriculture Investment to Viterra following a reorganization of Gavilon’s structure.
- Advised Evoqua Water Technologies on its $7.5 billion stock-for-stock merger with Xylem.
- Advised SEMCORP on its merger filing for a joint venture with CATL to manufacture cutting-edge Li-ion battery separators.
CMS
Advising clients from across automotive, machinery and manufacturing, life sciences, and TMT, the antitrust, competition and trade practice at CMS is well versed in handling a range of antitrust issues. Typical work for the team covers merger control filings and creating anti-trust compliance programmes. Corporate, M&A and competition specialist Kevin Wang re-joined as principal counsel and co-head in March 2022. Ulrike Glueck leads the team in Shanghai with her skills in antitrust projects. Associate Yedi Zhu also joined the team in April 2023 assisting on merger control filings and competition law matters. Nick Beckett leads the Beijing antitrust team alongside Vera Zhang.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ulrike Glueck; Kevin Wang
Autres avocats clés:
Nick Beckett; Vera Zhang; Yedi Zhu
Principaux dossiers
Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.
The competition team at Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. handles both transactional and compliance matters for global businesses in China. The practice is retained by clients to advise on anti-monopoly law, reviewing commercial policies, and merger filings. David Boitout, Jiannian Fan , and Min Guo all lead the team with their combined expertise in competition and antitrust law. Associate Xi Chen is based in Beijing and handles merger notifications to SAMR, compliance, and project work.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Boitout; Jiannian Fan; Min Guo
Autres avocats clés:
Xi Chen
Principaux clients
Accor
Air Liquide
Alstom
Lacoste
PSA Group
Renault
Total
Valeo
Vallourec
Principaux dossiers
O'Melveny
O'Melveny works across all areas of antitrust and competition law from merger controls to investigating sensitive price-fixing and abuse of dominance cases. On the merger control side it assists semiconductor, technology, and automotive industries on SAMR merger processes and non-competition issues. For competition issues the team advises on anti-monopoly law changes while also providing strategic counselling on compliance and enforcement risks, including abuse of dominance claims. Practice head Philip Monaghan combines his EU law background with his antitrust expertise in Hong Kong – he is particularly noted for his knowledge of merger control within the semiconductor industry. Lining Shan resides in Beijing aiding with merger filings and anti-unfair competition training for clients, while Vivian Wang handles merger review from Shanghai.
Responsables de la pratique:
Philip Monaghan
Autres avocats clés:
Lining Shan; Vivian (Weixuan) Wang
Principaux clients
Coherent Corp.
Asiana Airlines
TTM Technologies
CJ ENM Co.
I Squared Capital Advisors (HK)
Semtech Corporation
DL Chemical Co.
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Asiana on its proposed acquisition by Korean Air Lines Co., SAMR and CMA in the UK have approved the transaction subject to remedies.
- Assisting TTM Technologies with merger control and FDI filing requirements related to its $330 million acquisition of Telephonics Corporation.
- Assisting Coherent Corp. with its merger control and FDI filings for its proposed acquisition of Coherent, Inc.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP deals with cross-border transactions and regional conduct and litigation matters across Asia Pacific. Merger control approvals for international transactions is another highlight for the firm, working closely with its M&A team to advise both local and international clients. Practice head Andrew Foster is knowledgeable on China’s anti-monopoly enforcement procedures, but also advises on a range of antitrust matters. Asia Pacific counsel Kexin Li works on high-profile merger control cases and handles on-going remedy compliance efforts at SAMR. Senior competition attorney Julia Zhu works across both the Beijing and Hong Kong offices, focusing on antitrust law within China. Jacqueline Arena is also noted for her merger transaction work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Foster
Autres avocats clés:
Kexin Li; Julia Zhu; Jacqueline Arena
Principaux clients
Intel Corporation
HP
Activision Blizzard
Coherent
Entegris
DuPont de Nemours
Axiata Group Berhad
Mars
JX Nippon
Brookfield Asset Management
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Intel Corporation on its $5.4 billion acquisition of Israel-based foundry and chipmaker Tower Semiconductor.
- Assisted HP with antitrust aspects of its $3.3 billion acquisition of Poly.
- Assisting Activision Blizzard with regulatory filings related to its $75 billion acquisition by Microsoft.