Date: Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in China rebounded in August, rising 7 percent from a year earlier after plunging over the previous two months. China still remains an attractive destination for foreign investors due to its dynamic economy. The Chinese government is also taking steps to stabilize the FDI and improve its quality. As the “factory to the world”, It is one of the fastest growing markets for foreign capital, brands and technology. At the same time, it has growing pains.

This year the market continues to send mixed signals with office rentals continuing to fall in many cities. At the same time residential sales have seen growth of 88.9 % over January to April 2009 (compare to the same period in 2008) in almost all of China’s first tier cities and strong domestic demand appears sustaining the retail sector.

Corporate fraud and bribery is one of the fastest growing business risk issues in China, and has severe implications on a business’s reputation and profitability, both in the short and long term. Several recent enforcement cases show foreign investors that understanding the Chinese anti-bribery law is also crucial.

About the Speaker(s)

Ms. Michelle Gon, a senior partner of Baker & McKenzie LLP Shanghai office will provide legal updates in several aspects including merger and acquisition, IP, real estate and anti-bribery areas in China in a non-legalistic way and share her practical experience with you. Michelle has been a long term observer of the China’s development since 1980s. She used to be with Baker & McKenzie Taipei office for many years and was an active member in the foreign chambers. Her presentation should be an interesting talk with interactive Q&As.