China Business Law Awards 2016

The editorial team of China Business Law Journal showcases the winning law firms that made well-recognized achievements in 2016

The National Bureau of Statistics recently announced China’s GDP grew by 6.7% in 2016, the slowest in 26 years but still within the government’s target range of between 6.5% and 7%. The Chinese economy is still active in many areas, both inbound and outbound.

To name a few transactions, China General Nuclear Power Corporation has invested in Hinkley Point C, the first generation III nuclear new-build project in the UK and one of the largest energy and infrastructure projects to be carried out in the country this decade. ChemChina has acquired Syngenta, the largest outbound transaction by a Chinese company to date. Zhejiang Geely issued the first overseas green bonds by Chinese automakers. Inbound transactions are also eye-catching: JD.com and Walmart formed a strategic partnership, and Didi Chuxing acquired Uber China, changing the landscape of the mobile taxi-hailing market in China.

Many other significant deals also made headlines and enhanced law firms’ reputations, bringing big profits to domestic and international law firms, such as a Chinese consortium’s purchase of the Premier League football club West Bromwich Albion, and the World Bank issuing the first SDR denominated bonds in China’s inter-bank bond market.