Masterclasses

Masterclass A: MASTERING THE ART AND SCIENCE OF DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA – SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND REGULATORY CONCERNS IMPACTING CHINESE REAL ESTATE

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Timing
Registration will be at 0830hr. The masterclass will run from 0900hr through to 1230hr. Morning refreshments will be served around 1030hr.

Objectives
This masterclass is mainly targeted at participants with an interest in the Chinese real estate market to familiarise themselves with how the Chinese conduct their businesses and the importance of “relationship” (Guan Xi) in doing business with Chinese. Mainly with a real estate context, the session brings out the social, cultural and regulatory factors affecting joint ventures between a foreign and local partner in China, the hurdles faced by foreigners and how to overcome common obstacles in dealing with Chinese counterparts.

Workshop Agenda
This is an interactive workshop with presentations, examples and real life case studies involving: -

Steps & Issues in Setting Up a China Operation 

- Trends in JVs, WFOEs and acquisitions. Why do one or the other? 
- Steps and issues: Selecting geographic location, specific site search, market 
  research, establish legal entity
- IP protection, recruit staff, local suppliers, outfit space and begin operations.

Understanding the Chinese Legal and Regulatory Systems: Latest Developments 
- Recent decisions by the Chinese government 
- Political risk – local and federal 
- Sources of law, legislative and administrative 
- The Chinese Courts: judicial method; the influence of local governments 
- Coping with legal uncertainty 
- Controlling bureaucratic discretion through administrative law 
- The impact of WTO membership on Chinese legal institutions 
- Chinese trade regulations and antidumping measures

Cultural Issues in Doing Business in China
- Law and business practices- how the cultures differ 
- Understanding the Chinese mindset 
- Learn the cultural differences and improve chances of success

How to Succeed in China - Final notes and ideas to take away

About your workshop leader
Edward Lehman, Managing Partner, Lehman Lee & Xu, China

Edward Lehman is the Managing Partner of Lehman, Lee & Xu. He advises foreign companies on joint ventures, wholly-owned subsidiaries and holding companies, technology licensing, engineering and construction projects, and the financing of such projects, as well as the protection of intellectual property rights in transactions and projects in China. He was named as a leading IP Practitioner by Asian Law Magazine for 2005 and is the longest serving foreign lawyer with Chinese legal firms (since 1989). He has been selected by his peers as one of the best advisers in China Banking, Intellectual Property, Finance, Foreign Direct Investment and Infrastructure and Corporate Commercial.

Masterclass B : REIT IPO STRUCTURING - OPERATIONAL REIT PERFORMANCE AND CORPORATE ISSUES