What business trends are emerging in China, the world’s second largest economy? How can international businesses and their legal teams plan for success? In this episode we hear from lawyers at Interlaw’s Chinese partner firm, Zhonglun W&D, to discuss how companies big and small can make it in the middle kingdom.

This episode is hosted by Hasti Kalarostaghi, Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, Australia.

Guests are Steven Lisi Zhou and Zoraida Liang of Zhonglun W&D Law Firm in Shenzhen, China.

Steven Zhou is Deputy Managing Partner at Zhonglun’s office in Shenzhen. His expertise includes intellectual property, data protection, medical and healthcare, and dispute resolution. Zoraida Liang is a Partner at Zhonglun’s office in Shenzhen, where she focuses on international trade, cross border investment, and dispute resolution. As Director of the Latin Department at the firm, she’s also fluent in Spanish.

They discuss the complexities and opportunities of doing business in China: the scale of the Chinese market, current trends in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) for Spanish-language investors, and the impact of global trade tensions. They also cover practical aspects like the importance of formal contracts, due diligence, and cultural understanding, especially regarding the concept of "guanxi."

They dive into client relationship management and the use of technology, particularly AI, in legal advice, and they conclude with insights into Chinese business culture, including the importance of WeChat, dining etiquette, and networking practices.

Brought to you by the leading independent law firm network, the Doing Business with Interlaw podcast series explores current themes and trends in major business markets around the world, hearing from lawyers on the ground who know their markets better than anyone.

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