Mainland China
About
White & Case has a long history in China, having established its first office in Hong Kong in 1978, and has been practicing in China for over 40 years; the Firm now has more than 80 lawyers and legal professionals based in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. Our China team is led by seasoned international and Chinese lawyers who are recognized leaders in the legal and business community. Our focus is on assisting clients as they navigate the legal issues and practicalities of inbound business to China and on Chinese corporations' outbound investments worldwide.
White & Case has one of the largest teams among international law firms in China. Our extensive experience on the ground in China gives us an active business network and the ability to execute transactions effectively.
Our Mainland China practice team is composed of English, Hong Kong and US-qualified lawyers, as well as lawyers trained in PRC law. This combination of qualifications ensures we are deeply connected to the local business community, and our deal experience over many years means we understand how to help our clients achieve their strategic objectives in Chinese and foreign markets. The majority of our lawyers are fluent in Mandarin and English.
We work with an almost equal balance of local and multinational corporations in China in their business and transactional activities across a broad spectrum of industries, including those which are highly regulated.
Our Mainland China Practice team advises on market-leading transactions, demonstrating experience in banking and capital markets, corporate/M&A, white collar/investigation, complemented by capabilities in restructuring & insolvency, antitrust/competition, disputes, litigation, international arbitration, private equity, project finance, international trade and investment funds.
Visit our Belt and Road Initiative page
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
China Practice International Firm of the Year
Women in Business Law Awards APAC 2022
Practice Areas
Banking & Finance
Band One: China - Banking & Finance: Leveraged & Acquisition Finance (International Firms)
Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Great China 2017-2023
Band One: China - Banking & Finance (International Firms)
Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Great China 2017-2023
Leading firm for Banking & Finance in China (Foreign Firms)
Asia-Pacific Legal 500 2020-2023
Leading firm for Banking & Finance
China Business Law Awards 2022
Banking & Finance International Firm of the Year
China Law & Practice Awards 2022
Corporate / M&A
The Elite: China – Corporate/M&A (International Firms)
Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Great China 2018-2023
Leading firm for Corporate / M&A in China (Foreign Firms)
Asia-Pacific Legal 500 2020-2023
Leading firm for M&A (Inbound and domestic)
China Business Law Awards 2022
Leading firm for M&A: China International
ALB China M&A Rankings 2022
Dispute resolution / Litigation
Leading firm for Dispute resolution- Litigation in China (Foreign Firms)
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021-2023
Leading firm for Dispute resolution (Cross-border)
China Business Law Awards 2022
International Trade/WTO
Band One: China - International Trade/WTO (International Firms)
Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Great China 2020-2023
Leading firm for International trade
China Business Law Awards 2022
International Trade Firm of the Year
The China Law & Practice 2021
Private Equity
Leading firm for Private Equity in China (Foreign Firms)
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020-2023
Projects & Energy
Leading firm for Project & Energy in China (Foreign Firms)
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020-2023
Projects & Infrastructure
Leading firm for Project & Infrastructure in China (Foreign Firms)
Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Greater China 2020-2023
Regulatory/Compliance
Leading firm for Regulatory/Compliance in China (Foreign Firms)
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021-2023
Leading firm for Anti-bribery & anti-corruption
China Business Law Awards 2022
Leading firm for Data protection & privacy
China Business Law Awards 2022
Industry sectors
Leading firm for Construction & Infrastructure
China Business Law Awards 2022
Leading firm for Consumer and retail
China Business Law Awards 2022
Leading firm for Technology & telecoms
China Business Law Awards 2022
Experience
Saudi Aramco
- its heads of agreement with China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) to build a refinery and petrochemical project in Gulei in China's southeastern Fujian Province. The greenfield project comprises a 16 million metric tonne per year (320,000 barrels per day) refining and petrochemical facility with a 1.5 million metric tonne per year ethylene unit. The project is expected to commence commercial operations in 2025.
- its formation of a joint venture with North Huajin Petrochemical and Panjin Xincheng (Panjin) to develop a US$10 billion fully integrated refining and petrochemicals complex located in the northeastern province of Liaoning, China.
- its proposed joint venture with PetroChina to acquire from PetroChina and operate a new 260,000 bpd grassroots, full conversion refinery at Kunming in China’s Yunnan province where the crude oil will be supplied via a pipeline from Myanmar to China.
The audit committee of a US-listed China-based online commercial logistics platform
An independent investigation with respect to certain allegations raised by a short seller report regarding alleged inflation of financial data through alleged schemes and suspicious investment and acquisition transactions.
The audit committee of a US listed China-based life science company
An independent review of certain issues regarding assessment of related party transactions.
Syndicated blue loan for Bank of Qingdao
International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG) and Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Economique (Proparco) on a US$150 million syndicated blue loan for Bank of Qingdao, one of the first blue loans in Asia and globally.
Haier social bonds issuance
IFC, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) on an investment of up to US$200 million in five-year social bonds issued by Haier Financial Services Co., Ltd., a first of its kind by a non-bank financial institution in China.
The special committee of a US listed China-based communication solution provider
An internal investigation with respect to certain allegations regarding related party transactions and accounting irregularities.
The audit committee of a US listed China-based air mobility company
An internal investigation with respect to certain allegations regarding related party transactions and accounting irregularities.
Recapitalization buy-out merger of Fullerton Health
RRJ Capital on its recapitalization buy-out merger of Singapore-based Fullerton Healthcare Corporation Limited. This deal was shortlisted as “Loan Deal of the Year” and “Private Equity Deal of the Year” by IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards 2023.
CMOC niobium mining bridge and pre-export financing
CMOC Group, one of China's largest state owned mining companies and world’s second largest producer of niobium, on a ground-breaking US$600 million bridge and five year pre-export financing (PXF) arranged by China Construction Bank (Asia) Corporation Ltd. and provided by a syndicate consisting of People's Republic of China and international lenders. This is one of the first PXF transactions by a Chinese mining company and has one of the longest international PXF terms. The transaction was awarded "Deal of the Year" for 2022 by China Business Law Journal.
Zhanatas wind farm financing
AIIB, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) and the Green Climate Fund on the project financing for the construction and operation of the 100 MW Zhanatas wind farm in Kazakhstan. The transaction was awarded "Deal of the Year" for 2021 by China Business Law Journal, and the "Projects & Energy Deal of the Year" by The In-House Community.
Nestlé Waters sale of its water business to Tsingtao Brewery
Nestlé Waters, the no.1 bottled water company worldwide, on the sale of its water business in the mainland China to Tsingtao Brewery Group Company Limited, China's second-largest beer maker. This transaction was awarded "Deal of the Year 2021" by China Business Law Journal, and was shortlisted as the "M&A Deal of the Year" by China Law & Practice Awards 2021.
Schneider Electric minority investment in Star Charge
Schneider Electric, a global player in energy management and automation, in connection with its minority investment in Star Charge, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging pole manufacturer and operator in China.
Magna International Inc.
Magna International Inc., a leading automotive manufacturer and supplier, on its acquisition of a majority stake in HLZX Group, a leading automotive seats supplier in China.
Gategroup buyout
RRJ Capital in connection with its buyout acquisition and related acquisition financing of gategroup Holding AG from HNA Aviation (Hong Kong) Air Catering Holding Co., Limited.
Loan for acquisition of NVC China
The mandated lead arrangers and arranger in respect of the RMB2.9 billion acquisition financing for KKR to support its acquisition of a majority interest in NVC Lighting's China lighting business . The deal won the "Finance Deal of the Year" at ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2020.
Sony Corporation investment into Bilibili
Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation, in its investment of approximately US$400 million in Bilibili Inc., a China-based provider of online entertainment services, through subscription of new shares. As a condition to closing, Bilibili and Sony Corporation entered into a business collaboration agreement to pursue collaboration opportunities within the area of entertainment business in the Chinese market, including anime and mobile games.
Radisson Group acquisition financing
A syndicate banks on the €800 million multi-tranche refinancing for a consortium led by Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. The syndicate was led by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China ("ICBC") as sole global coordinator, ICBC, Bank of China and China Everbright Bank as mandated lead arrangers. The facilities refinanced the acquisition bridge facility provided by ICBC to support the consortium's acquisition of Radisson Hotel Group.
Bright Scholar acquisition of the entire equity interest in CATS Colleges
Bright Scholar, the largest operator of international and bilingual K-12 schools in China in its GBP150 million acquisition of the entire equity interest in CATS Colleges Holdings Limited, an international school network with a platform of campuses located across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and China.
Greentown China's senior notes offerings
Greentown China Holdings Limited, a Chinese luxury real estate developer listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange:
- in its global Regulation S offering of US$300 million 4.70% senior notes due 2025.
- in its (i) global Regulation S offering of US$300 million 5.65% senior notes due 2025, and (ii) tender offer for up to US$150 million of its US$600 million4.55% senior notes due 2020.
- in its 364-day Regulation S high yield notes offering of US$600 million 4.55% Senior Notes due 2020.
MGM China senior notes offerings
The initial purchasers, in MGM China Holdings Limited's debut 144A/Regulation S debt issuance of senior notes in an aggregate amount of US$1.5 billion, comprising two tranches, a five-year tranche of US$750 million 5.375% senior notes due 2024 and a seven-year tranche of US$750 million 5.875% senior notes due 2026. The deal won the "Best Corporate Bond Deal of the Year" by The Asset Country Awards 2019.
China Molybdenum debut bond offering
China Molybdenum, a leading global diversified mining conglomerate in China dual-listed on the Shanghai and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges, on its debut Regulation S offering of unrated US$300 million 5.48% guaranteed bonds due 2022.
Development of group-level compliance policies
Conducting compliance risk assessment and developing a series of group-level compliance policies across a range of areas for a multinational mining company, including anticorruption, data compliance, export control and sanctions, environment, that covers China, Australia, Europe, U.S., Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo.
US$10 billion of financings for Ant Financial
- the mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners on the amendment and extension of the 2017 facilities and concurrent upsize to an aggregate US$6.5 billion senior secured revolving credit facilities for Alipay (Hong Kong) Holding Limited, in 2019.
- the mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners on a US$3.5 billion senior secured term and revolving loan financing to Alipay (Hong Kong) Holding Limited, in 2017. The proceeds of the facilities were made available for, among other things, Alipay's intended take-private acquisition of MoneyGram International Inc. and other investments.
Internal investigation regarding whistleblower allegations
The audit committee of a Chinese company to conduct an internal investigation regarding whistleblower allegations during its IPO.