China Business Law Journal – June 2025

Time to switch up

Stephen Hawking once said: “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” Arguably there is no higher authority on either the topic of intelligence, or that of thriving in spite of overwhelming adversarial changes.

In the past few years, Chinese businesses’ ardently growing need to expand into overseas marketplaces has been juxtaposed by the increasing difficulty for multinational companies (MNCs) to establish and maintain a presence in China, all taking place against the backdrop of a deteriorating global trade environment. This makes adaptability not just a desirable perk, but essential.

Our cover story, Walking the sanctions tightrope, focuses on China’s latest legislative counteractions against foreign sanctions, most notably the implementation regulations under the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, sending a loud and clear message to all MNCs that their future in the China market is very much conditional.

On the bright side, as noted by many legal experts featured in the report, the upgraded rules do not seek to make compliance impossible and a critical remedy mechanism is always available as a last resort. On the other side of the equation, the EU is leaving naught to chance when it comes to consumer goods safety, with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)in full swing since December 2024. In GSPR: Playing it safe, Mah Soon Sin, the head of legal for product compliance, IP rights, marketing, US and Latin America at AliExpress, decodes the new regime and what Chinese companies should do to ensure compliance, as well as what to expect if they fail to do so.

There are many reasons why lawyers may find certain cases more memorable than others – a dramatic negotiation, an eccentric client, or a triumphal turnaround in court. But what kind of transactions or disputes are held the closest to their hearts, recalled in the most reminiscing moods? In Moments that define, we pose this question to the winners of The A-List 2024-25, who in turn graced us with a great many stories featuring events that gave them inspiration or touched their heartstrings.

Last but not least, after months of dedicated surveying and research, we proudly unveil the winning law firms in China Business Law Awards 2025. This year’s lineup consists of the Golden League, Best International Law Firms, Best Offshore Law Firms, Notable Achievers, Firms to Watch, Legaltech Pioneers, Pro-bono Law Firms, as well as the leading Chinese and international firms in various practice areas and industry sectors.

This extensive list of legal excellence could not have been compiled without hundreds of general counsel, corporate executives and industry experts lending us their collective wisdom and sharp observations. Therefore, we extend our thanks to all who participated in our survey, and heartfelt congratulations to all the winning law firms.