The legal environment for foreign companies in China has been undergoing some important changes in recent years. Most of these evolutions are directly linked to the implementation of China’s economic reform plan and of the rule of law, which is being promoted as an essential element thereof.
The Flanders-China Chamber of Commerce (FCCC) organized a seminar in Brussels on October 23 to discuss how these reforms affect daily operations of foreign companies in China.

The seminar was presented by Mr Philippe Snel, who has been practicing as a foreign lawyer based in Shanghai for the past 10 years, advising foreign companies about the intricacies of Chinese law. He shared some of his insights with regard to the reform and the practical consequences it has on foreign businesses in China.

His presentation dealt with such issues as: legal compliance and risk management, the growing importance of labor laws, the increased tax scrutiny on foreign companies, the implementation of strict regulatory frameworks for several industries (e.g. food, advertising), the influence of environmental protection laws and the promises of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.