With the implementation of China’s “going abroad” policy, which is being supported by legal reforms and easier access to funding, outbound investment from China is growing at an unprecedented rate.  However, many participants in this young area are unfamiliar with the PRC government approval requirements and lack the necessary understanding of the regulations, business environment and culture of the target jurisdictions. 

TransAsia is one of only a few PRC law firms with a dedicated practice in this area.  Using our extensive network of international alliances, and our capabilities as a bilingual and multicultural Chinese firm, we provide Chinese investors and foreign investees with seamless, practical and authoritative advice on all aspects of their international transactions. 

Client Services

• Partner identification and selection
• Comprehensive legal due diligence and analysis
• Structuring and implementing investments (including the provision of strategic advice on the nature and amount of a particular acquisition)
• Setting up corporate entities and drafting related documentation
• Advising on regulatory and compliance issues, governmental approval procedures, licenses and permits
• Assisting with government relations in China and target jurisdictions
• Advising on operational issues such as intellectual property protection, crisis management, environmental protection, community relationships and dispute resolution
• Structuring and implementing financing arrangements
• Advising on green-field projects, as well as investments in existing mines, mills and other businesses
• Advising on anti-monopoly issues, financial reporting requirements, anti-bribery rules and other corporate governance matters
• Advising on all manner of employment issues, including the secondment of Chinese management personnel overseas, and the hiring and retrenchment of staff
• Advising on customs and foreign exchange procedures
• Managing the selection and use of foreign counsel in target jurisdictions

Strategic Alliances and Government Relations

TransAsia is proud to collaborate with a number of leading law firms across the globe.  In particular, we are currently working closely with our alliances in Australia, Canada and the U.S. to facilitate some of the largest outbound investments to take place in these respective regions to date.

We enjoy close working relationships with the Chinese government authorities responsible for outbound investments. These include the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), its China Industrial Overseas Development & Planning Association (Association) and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

As part of our ongoing cooperation with our alliance firms, we hold symposiums for Chinese state-owned enterprises and banks on “going abroad” projects.  To date, these invitation-only events have each been over-subscribed and warmly received by corporations and governmental authorities alike:

• In 2007 and 2009, we held the "Invest in Australia-Beijing” symposium in collaboration with Freehills and the Association.  These events were officially endorsed by the NDRC and the SAFE, and supported by the Australian Government.
• In 2006, TransAsia held "Investing in the U.S. 2006" jointly with the Association and our U.S. alliance firm Covington & Burling.  The event attracted over 200 senior business leaders and government representatives from both countries.

Representative Transactions

• Advised Indophil Resources NL on its A$ 545 million takeover by Zijin Mining Group
• Represented China Shenhua in its acquisition of the exploration rights to a coal mine in New South Wales, Australia, for A$ 300 million
• Advised Oz Minerals on its A$ 2.6 billion asset sale to China Minmetals in Australia
• Advised China Minmetals’ wholly owned Australian subsidiary, Minerals and Mining Group Ltd, on general corporate matters after its acquisition of Oz Minerals
• Advised Myer Holding Ltd. on its offering to Chinese investors during its IPO on the ASX
• Assisted China Metallurgical Corporation with its efforts to develop the Waratah coal project in Queensland, Australia

Representative Clients