Features & Analyses

The government hopes that changes to China's mining laws and regulations will encourage greater foreign exploration and exploitation of mineral projects. Are foreign mining companies ready to enter China? And what is holding them back?

Another piece of China's trademarks legislation puzzle has been put in place with the issuance of new rules on well-known trademarks. The rules introduce some important changes to recognition of well-known marks, and might make it easier for foreign trademarks to win such recognition in China.

Customs compliance and tax planning for cross-border transactions are becoming more important and complex. Payments between different links in a cross-border supply chain must be structured carefully to avoid high customs value and possible double taxation.

Courts in China have been taking the lead in interpreting China's intellectual property laws so as to meet international standards. Shanghai Municipality has recently made its own contribution with an Opinion on strengthening IP rights in foreign businesses.

Parties seeking to resolve disputes in China have a choice of arbitration institutions in an increasingly competitive environment. China's best-known arbitration commission has issued new rules to expedite the resolution of financial disputes, which it hopes can keep it ahead of the competition.

Privately concluded land sales in China cost the state huge sums in lost revenue, and often mask collusion between the parties involved. This month we examine in detail the attempts to create a transparent legal framework for land use transactions.

Customs compliance and tax planning for cross-border transactions are becoming more important and complex. Payments between different links in a cross-border supply chain must be structured carefully to avoid high customs value and possible double taxation.

Shanghai aims to become a regional business hub. New rules have been issued that supplement initial steps that Shanghai took in the summer of 2002 to make itself a focus of international business.

China's fast-growing real estate sector is regulated by a confusing patchwork of laws, and disputes have been on the rise. The Supreme People's Court has issued a new Interpretation that brings some welcome clarity to real estate sales and purchase contracts.