We have a truly integrated team of over 200 lawyers working across China’s three major business centres: Beijing, Hong Kong SAR and Shanghai. We are not only able to call on the expertise of lawyers from the firm’s other offices in Asia and our network of 30 offices globally, but with our Shanghai Free Trade Zone Joint Operation with Zhao Sheng Law Firm, we can also provide seamless international and Chinese legal advice on joint matters, to help our clients achieve their China inbound and outbound strategic objectives.

Our many years of experience in China, and our track record on numerous complex international investments into China, have provided us with an exceptional understanding of the local legal and economic landscape. With around 100 Chinese-speaking lawyers, we know how best to negotiate and conclude deals in China. Our deep understanding of the culture and language, combined with our cross-practice strength and sector knowledge, mean clients can rely on Linklaters to achieve their commercial objectives while effectively managing risk.

Our expertise

Antitrust & Foreign Investment

Our Antitrust & Foreign Investment Group offers a sophisticated approach combining international experience with local presence and expertise to deliver commercial, expert advice to clients on merger control and enforcement in China and other competition jurisdictions in the region.

Our track record includes advising:

  • Intel on implementing multiple reform strategies on the Chinese merger control for the US$5.4bn acquisition of Tower Semiconductors.
  • Microsoft on the Chinese merger filing for its US$70bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard. At the time, it was the largest ever all-cash acquisition in history.
  • TRUE on its US$8.3bn merger with mobile operator DTAC.
  • CP Group on its US$10.6bn acquisition of Tesco’s businesses in Thailand and Malaysia – the biggest corporate acquisition in Thailand’s history and the largest M&A in Asia in 2020.
Our renowned experience is recognised by the market, including Chambers Greater China Region 2025:
“They are a highly regarded team advising on market-leading transactions. Their work spans a range of complex structured financings, the firm maintains an especially strong reputation for leveraged and acquisition finance as well as syndicated loans. They provide good market insight, and have the ability to pivot to find constructive solutions.”

Band 1 – Banking & Finance (International Firms): China

“As one of the most established law firms in Asian DCM markets, Linklaters has consistently provided top-notch services, offering global expertise with local insights. They extensively advise on both straight and hybrid bond offerings as well as large green and sustainability bond issuances...in addition to advising on significant IPOs, follow-on offerings and block trades.”

Band 1 – Capital Markets – Debt (International Firms): China

“Linklaters has a very strong team of specialists advising on margin loans and QFII structures and is hugely influential in the OTC derivatives market. Linklaters distinguish themselves with their in-depth industry knowledge, which allows them to give commercial and client-specific advice. This team is our go-to on the street for complex matters.”

Band 1 – Capital Markets – Derivatives & Structured Products (International Firms): China

“Linklaters has a significant advantage across almost all Asia markets. The firm's strong and long track record in China has helped hone its commercial awareness. It is absolutely top-notch.”

Band 2 – Corporate/ M&A: The Elite (International Firms): China

“Linklaters houses an exceptional team headed by strong practitioners based in Beijing and Hong Kong SAR. The team demonstrates a high level of expertise across a full range of competition issues, including behavioural issues and enforcement. Linklaters are unique in the sense that they can draw on their expertise in EU competition law. The team is very experienced and our go-to firm for merger control matters in China.”

Band 1 – Competition/Antitrust (International Firms): China

“Linklaters has extensive experience in the field of project finance and stronger risk management capabilities than other law firms in the industry. They have an extensive international network that enables them to advise on complex cross-border transactions. The team frequently acts on headline infrastructure projects relating to natural resources, travel and communications.”

Band 1 – Projects & Infrastructure (International Firms): China

“Linklaters' team is very responsive and proactive. They act for a range of banks, funds and corporates on distressed investments and bond and credit restructuring matters and frequently advises with regard to enforcements and insolvency litigation. Through market downturn you need to rely on robustness of documentation, an area where we have directly benefitted from working with them. We get what we ask for; they give us proper advice.”

Band 1 – Restructuring/Insolvency (International Firms): China