Womble Carlyle China Practice

Guanming Fang Speaks at U.S. – China Legal Exchange

2011-10-21T17:34:00.001-04:00

Womble Carlyle Corporate & Securities partner Guanming Fang spoke at the U.S.-China Legal Exchange hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce on October 21, 2011. Guanming’s presentations were entitled “Introduction of U.S. Antitrust Laws” and “Pre-Merger Notification under Hart-Scott Rodino.” Honored guests at the event included Chong Quan, Vice Minister, Ministry of Commerce of People’s Republic of China, and Cameron Kelly, General Counsel, U.S. Department of Commerce. The focus of the event was to give local companies and the legal community an opportunity to interact with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and to discuss U.S./China business initiatives.

Georgia Governor Takes Womble Carlyle Guide on Business Trip to China

2011-10-17T13:58:00.001-04:00

When Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal went on a business recruiting trip to China, he took along some helpful advice from two Womble Carlyle attorneys.

Womble Carlyle’s Guanming Fang and Clint Richardson wrote the Guide for Expanding Into the U.S. Market in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Gov. Deal requested and took copies of the guide with him on his trip to share with Chinese business leaders. The guide is written in both English and Chinese.

Facebook in China Soon?

2011-05-10T08:47:00.005-04:00

Facebook's 26-year-old Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is visiting China and trying to friend the Chinese authorities. Does this mean Facebook will be back in China soon so I can friend my friends in China? Probably not. As the article points out, it would be hard for Facebook to operate in China the same way it operates in the U.S., politically and culturally. But the visit is certainly a good thing. Once he sees the market potential of China with his own eyes, who is to say that the young and ambitious Zuckerberg won't be able to find a way to enter the market. Zuckerberg's visit coincides with the third round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. Whether the conversation is about social networking, floating the Chinese currency, or improving human rights records, I am glad that the U.S. and China are having these conversations.

List of Industries in China that Foreign Investors May Invest in Has Changed

2011-05-04T17:21:00.005-04:00

The Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) recently announced that it has revised the list industries that foreign investors are encouraged, allowed, restricted or prohibited to invest in. The new listing is available in Chinese. This new list becomes effective on June 1. According to the NDRC, the change is needed to reflect technological changes and industrial development that have occurred since the current list was published in December 2005. This should not affect most proposed investment projects. But potential investors should consult the list before investing too much resource into a project.

Can't Find Sufficient Workers to Hire Among a Population of 1.3 Billion?

2011-03-08T23:17:00.002-05:00

Our clients and friends that have operations in China have been telling us that it is difficult to hire enough quality workers in China. Now, the Chinese government officials are acknowledging the labor shortage problem. And there doesn't seem to be any short term solution. At the same time, there are plenty of college graduates who are having a difficult time finding jobs. This situation highlights a couple of problems that China is facing. One is that there seems to be a disconnect between education and the demand of the labor market. The programs offered in schools, both vocational schools and colleges, do not match the skill sets that companies require. Second, because of the significant difference in living standards between the coastal areas and the inland provinces, college graduates are reluctant to move to the inland provinces. Improving vocational training, as suggested in the article, is certain a step in the right direction. But it will take some time to see the effects. In the meantime, competition to hire quality workers will remain fierce. Does this signal the end of China's reputation of the cheap labor market of the world?

Interview by Global Atlanta

2011-03-02T11:51:00.003-05:00

Article republished from WCSR.com

ATLANTA—Chinese investment in the U.S. market will continue as the global economy recovers. But that investment may be in a different form than some people might expect.

So says Guanming Fang, a corporate and securities attorney in Womble Carlyle’s Atlanta office and the leader of the firm’s China Initiative. Fang recently discussed Chinese investment in Georgia with Global Atlanta, an Atlanta-based business publication.

Fang says that Chinese investment will be more diverse than many people expect. While large factories will continue to get the headlines, Fang says that small Chinese companies are looking to enter the U.S. market through acquisitions and equity investments.

“The economic downturn I don't think had any impact on Chinese interest with the U.S. In fact, the flip side is true. They really look at the United States as an opportunity,” Fang tells Global Atlanta.

Fang is the author of a 43-page bilingual guide for Chinese companies looking to do business in Georgia. She also is the Chair of the Georgia China Alliance. Fang practices in Womble Carlyle’s Atlanta office.

Network and Connect with Chinese Executives and Officials in Atlanta

2010-11-11T14:36:00.003-05:00

How often do you get to network with Chinese business executives and government officials without leaving the country? You will have an opportunity to do so on November 15, 2010.

Georgia China Alliance cordially invites you to join us at a reception on November 15, 2010 to welcome a delegation from China, consisting of about 40 business executives from a broad range of industries, including textile, agriculture, chemistry, banking, investment, trading, and others, and Chinese government officials from the Ministry of Commerce and other government agencies. Please see event details below. Although it is not required, you may find it more effective to attend the event with a Chinese speaking colleague or friend who might benefit from attending this event.

Event: Networking and welcome reception for Chinese delegation

Date/Time: November 15, 2010, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC, Skyline Room
Atlantic Station, BB&T Building
271 17th Street NW
Suite 2400
Atlanta, GA 30363

Please visit www.wcsr.com/locations/atlanta for directions.

Cost: $30 per person (including parking validation), Please make check payable to Georgia China Alliance and bring it to the event.

Registration: Please RSVP to cdunne@wcsr.com by November 12

Questions: Please contact Guanming Fang @ 404-888-7388 or gfang@wcsr.com

Click for printable invitation

2009-10-09T14:57:00.001-04:00

Womble Carlyle Presents China's Labor Contract Law and a Changing Economic Environment

2009-06-11T15:46:00.002-04:00

On Thursday, June 25, Womble Carlyle's China Team and the China Research Center will host guests and clients in Womble Carlyle's Atlanta office for a presentation on "China's Labor Contract Law and a Changing Economic Environment". The discussion will focus on the mplementation and implications of China’s new labor contract law and an update on the effect of the global crisis on China's economy.

Registration and networking will begin at 11:30 am. The program and lunch will last from 12:00 noon until 1:30 pm.

Interested guests may RSVP via email. There is no charge to attend this event, but seating is limited. We kindly request all RSVPs by June 22.

Event Details:
Thursday, June 25, 2009
11:30 am - 12:00 pm - Registration and Networking
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Lunch and Presentation
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Q&A and Networking

Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
Atlantic Station
271 17th Street, NW, Suite 2400
Atlanta, GA 30363-1017
(404) 872-7000

For directions, click here.

Can Companies in China Reduce Employee Salaries?

2009-01-25T10:53:00.002-05:00

The new Chinese Labor Contract Law ("LCL") has been in effect for a year. Companies, legal professionals and enforcement agencies in China are still trying to understand how to implement the specific provisions of the law. One of the issues that Chinese companies face in the current economic down-turn is whether employers can reduce employees' salaries in order to avoid laying off employees.

This may seem to be a puzzling question to those who are not familiar with doing business in Chna. After all, salary freezes and salary reduction seem to be the topic of the day in the U.S. Almost all companies seem to be doing it in an effort to reduce cost to better position themselves to weather the current economic crisis. Nobody is asking (or has any reason to ask) whether they can legally do that. As long as wages meet the applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements, how companies pay their employees is entirely a private matter between the employer and the employee.

In China, however, this is a legitimate and even prudent question to ask. One of the purposes of the LCL is to protect employees from abusive labor practices, including withholding wages and terminating employees at will. Among other things, the LCL requires employers to enter into employment contracts with each employee, setting forth the employee's pay, working conditions and other rights and obligations. Employers that violate the LCL will face fines and other penalties. The LCL has specific provisions governing how and under what circumstances an employee may be terminated. The LCL, however, does not provide whether an employee's salary, once set, can be reduced, or if so, how.

This article (http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2009/01/23/reducing-salaries-for-china-employees.html) argues that since the main purpose of the LCL is to stablize the labor market, if an employer has to choose between lowering wages and laying off employees, the employer can reduce wages. It suggests that the employer should obtain the approval of the labor union and the local labor administrative agency.

Barack Obama's Chinese Tie

2009-01-20T09:19:00.003-05:00

Regardless of what one's ideology inclination is, one has to admit that today is a historical day in he U.S. Any doubt of that should be washed away by the hundreds of thousands of people who started gathering at the National Mall in Washington DC at the crack of dawn this morning, battling the bitter cold weather, to be part of the presidential inauguration of Barach Obama.

Most people know about Obama's Kenyan tie, and many know that he lived in Indonesia for a few years when he was a young boy. But not many know that he also has close family tie to China. The English language Chinese newspaper China Daily reported yesterday that Obama's half brother Mark Ndesandjo has lived in Shenzhen for the last seven years, is married to a Chinese woman, speaks Mandarin, and practices Chinese calligraphy. Enjoy the full story at this link, http://www.cdeclips.com/en/nation/fullstory.html?id=14186.

Postcard from the Olympic Games

2008-08-15T10:57:00.001-04:00

Hello again. It's been several days since I last talked to you. We've been busy going to various events.

We went to the tennis event on the 11th and watched Nadal Rafael defeat an Italian player and S. Williams defeat a Russian player. The Williams' match was a continuation of the match started the day before but was suspended due to rain. We had first row seats and had a great view of the games. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay to watch Federer. We had tickets to the women's basketball game that afternoon. The basketball stadium is beautiful, inside and outside. Our seats are way at the top but we still had a clear view of the game. The game was between Latvia and Bellarus. It was a great game. In addition to the professional cheerleaders performing during half time and timeouts, there was a group of Chinese cheerleaders in the audience cheering for both teams throughout the game.

We had a lot of difficulty getting to the Tennis Center and from the Tennis Center to the Basketball Stadium. The volunteers couldn't tell us exactly how to get to the Tennis Center and sent us going from place to place looking for the right bus to take. A taxi driver told us taxis weren't allowed to go to the Olympic venues (which turned out to be only half true- they can get to a certain point but not all the way to the gate) and refused to take us. After we finally got on the right bus (an Olympic bus route), we couldn't figure out which stop to get off because they only announced the names of the stops without telling you what venues were nearby. We ended up getting off one or two stops too early and had to walk the rest of the way. After tennis, we couldn't find a direct shuttle going from the Tennis Center to the Basketball Stadium (there wasn't any) which is half way across town. We had to go back into public transit to get to the Basketball Stadium. Luckily, we found a taxi driver who would take us.

The last event we watched was the men's cycling time trial on the 13th. My son Oliver is very into cycling lately and idolizes Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland. This was a road race that doesn't require any tickets, and none were sold. So we decided to go to the finish line at the foot of the Great Wall and watch the final moments of the race and the award ceremony. We couldn't find a bus going that way. Since Oliver was so anxious to watch the race, we decided to take a cab for the 50 or so kilometer ride there. When we got to the point which is about five kilometers to the destination, we came upon the first security road block. We were told that vehicles without BOCOG permit would not be allowed to pass that point. Seeing how disappointed Oliver was, my husband started talking to the guard. After 10 minutes or so, the guard decided to let us through. We came upon another road block at the three kilometer point. This time we weren't able to convince the guard to let us pass. Fortunately, there was a taxi there that had a BOCOG permit. We shared the cab with a local sports reporter who was also trying to get to the finish line. But, we couldn't get to the finish line. We were told no spectators, other than BOCOG employees and volunteers, were allowed at the finish line unless you had gotten there early in the morning before security was put in place. But we were able to get to the 500 meter point and watched the final dash from there. To Oliver's great satisfaction, Cancellara won gold!

Besides watching the games, we hosted two dinners at my in-laws' home to give our American friends an opportunity to visit a home in Beijing and to experience some real Chinese home life. Sam Williams, President of Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, was our first guest. My mother-in-law served one of my favorite traditional Beijing dishes called Chun Bing (Spring Wraps). We had a great time with Sam, sharing stories of attending the Beijing Olympics, watching and playing with fireworks and many more activities.

11 Alive's (Atlanta TV) Brenda Wood and her cameraman David Brook came to our home on the 12th. They talked to us about many things, including our paths from Beijing to Atlanta, cultural differences, and living as both a Chinese and an American. We invited them to join us for dinner after the interview. This time, my mother-in-law served the most typical and homey Beijing food of all, jiao-zi with many cold dishes. It wasn't elaborate but very traditional Beijing. We had a great conversation and had fun teaching Brenda how to use chopsticks. It's a lot easier to talk to reporters when you are not being interviewed.

Our visit in Beijing is coming to an end. This has truly been a lifetime experience from many perspectives. Oliver's interest in and appreciation of what he saw and experienced in China is a great satisfaction to us. He was in awe of the garden house, the Buddhist temple and the West Lake in Hangzhou, amazed by the development in Shanghai. He had a lot of fun cheering for both the Chinese and the U.S. at the Beijing Olympics. As Chinese, attending the Olympic Games in Beijing has been an unparalleled experience. Besides the excitement of watching world class competitions and seeing the world come together for the joy of sports, there is an added element of national pride.

Friends, thanks for visiting our blog. See you back home!

Swimming in Beijing

2008-08-11T14:02:00.001-04:00

We ended up going to the swimming event on the 10th. Even though it was an event of qualifying contests, it was an incredible experience. Five or six Olympic records were broken, and the U.S. men's 4x100 meter breast stroke relay broke the World Record!

The area called the Olympic Greens where there are several Olympic venues is very nice. Many large sponsors, including Atlanta's Coca Cola, have set up hospitality centers there. There are a few souvenir stands. Besides checking out the souvenir shops and taking pictures, there aren't any activities there. The swimming event was held in the Aquatic Center, also known as the Water Cube. It's an incredible building. The outer walls are literally made of plastic sheets that look like bubble wraps. There are decorative ponds outside the building with water falls running into the ponds. The interior is quite beautiful as well. Half of the hall is a standard size Olympic pool, and the other half houses a diving pool with various diving boards and platforms.

Michael Phelps received warm applause when he walked in. Yes, he's well known in China as well. It started raining right before the event start time. It's a good thing it's an indoor event. By the time we left the stadium, it was raining cats and dogs. I wondered what happened to the rain cloud chasing plan that we've heard about.

Opening Ceremonies at the Olympic Games

2008-08-10T09:05:00.000-04:00

The opening ceremony was absolutely spectacular!

That the performance unfolded on an open scroll of a picture is a brilliant idea. The entire show displayed the richness of China's culture and was filled with beautiful colors and texture. There wasn't any blood pumping central piece of music. But overall, the music was beautiful. The torch is absolutely beautiful. Its form resembles the end of an unfolding scroll (another brilliant idea), with red and "lucky cloud" decoration.

The weather on the first day of the Games was not bad at all. We actually saw the blue sky and white clouds in the afternoon. It was so sunny that I wore my sun glasses most of the day. The air was still a little smoggy though. It looked like there was a thin veil hanging in the air all the time. We didn't have any tickets for the day. So, we decided to go to the Bird's Nest just to hang out. Unfortunately, we found out pretty quickly that without tickets to any of the events being held there, we were not allowed to even go near the Stadium. The closest we could get was several blocks away, across a couple of highways. There were a lot of people there, Chinese and non-Chinese, all trying to get a close look of the Bird's Nest and the flame and taking pictures. We were very disappointed. I wish they had set up some activities for the general public who are unable to get tickets to the Games but want to participate in some form. With everything I've seen and heard so far, it seems to me that the only thing the Beijing Olympic Organization focuses on is to make sure the Games go smoothly. Creating a positive, enjoyable and memorable experience for the local people and visitors around the world doesn't seem to be part of their plan or concern.

Nonetheless, we are still having a good time. Just being here is exciting, and we've got a ton of souvenirs.

Postcard from the Olympic Games - Beijing

2008-08-08T11:47:00.003-04:00

After traveling in China for about a week, we are finally in Beijing. We took the train from Hangzhou last night. It was a 12-hour ride and quite an interesting experience. Security was not as tight as we had expected, and we went through security pretty quickly. I think part of the reason is that there were SO MANY people there that the security people just wanted to herd the crowd through. There seemed to be people in every inch of the train stations both in Hangzhou and in Beijing. I felt I had to pay extra attention to make sure I didn't lose one of my children. The place was relatively orderly. Despite the vast number of people, check-in went very quickly and we found our car easily. We had a sleeping compartment (with four seats/beds) all to ourselves after changing one ticket with another passenger. It was supposed to be a smoke-free car with designated smoking areas, but some passengers in the compartment next to ours obviously smoked in their compartment with the door closed. Smoke kept sipping though the cracks to our compartment. It took a couple of complaints to get them to stop.

Unlike the beautiful weather in Hangzhou, the weather in Beijing on this opening day of the Beijing Olympics is pretty foggy. The fog broke a little bit in the afternoon, and the sun peaked out for a couple of hours. It is forecasted that it would rain in the early evening right around the time of the opening ceremony. But we've heard that the Beijing Olympic Organization is prepared to interfere and manually chase the rain clouds away before the opening ceremony if necessary.

Traffic is extremely good today. The taxi ride from the train station home, which usually takes more than an hour, took us about half an hour today. We heard that most of the offices are closed today and people are given the day off, by government order.

Pretty much the only thing on TV is the Olympics - history of the Olympics, the development of China's sports, China's participation in international events, construction of the Olympic venues, etc. People in Beijing are genuinely excited about the Games. Many say this is the largest event of their lives. There is a genuine sense of pride everywhere. This is particularly more so in Beijing than in other parts of China.

Now that it's about a couple of hours before the opening, there is more and more broadcasting from the Bird's Nest. The broadcasters are speculating as to who the flag bearer will be for the Chinese team and who will light the torch.

Stay tuned. I will be back later.

Postcard from the Olympic Games - Traveling

2008-08-06T16:33:00.007-04:00

This is the first report of several by Guanming Fang who is attending the Olympics. Born and raised in China and fluent in Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese, in addition to English, Guanming's innate understanding of the Chinese culture enables her to explain complex U.S. legal principles and business issues in a language and manner that is easy for her Chinese clients to understand. The reports in the days to come will be lighthearted and observational in nature.

We spent the day in Shanghai today. The weather is absolutely beautiful though very hot. The sky is blue with white clouds. Hope Beijing has the same weather. We took the world"s only commercially used Maglev train (photo, right) just for the experience. It was pretty cool. The fastest the train got was 431 km per hour. The ride is very smooth and quiet. The train wasn't crowded, and the train stations were clean. The only inconvenience is that the train station is a bit far from the city. We had to take a pretty long subway ride to get there. I've read that the Maglev train is underused partly because of its inconvenient location. I've been in Shanghai many times and this is my second time riding the Maglev train. Last time, I asked the driver taking me to the Pudong Airport to get out of the way to take me to the train station so I could ride it. It wasn't convenient getting to the station at all.

The subways in Shanghai are very nice. The best I've ridden anywhere. The stations are very clean and airy. The trains and clean and nice.

Because the Olympics are near, security measures in Shanghai have been tightened. When we left our bags at the hotel to store this morning, they asked us to open each bag for inspection. They told us it's a new measure during the Olympics. We are taking the train to Hangzhou. At the train station, they have closed most but a few entrances. All bags go through scanning. My hairspray was taken out for close inspection. Again these are new security measures during the Games, we are told.

Womble Carlyle Co-sponsors Two Doing Business In China Events

2008-05-20T16:16:00.002-04:00

Many companies are boldly capitalizing on the Asian economic boom, growing business resources and developing competitive advantages. Grant Thornton LLP, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC and East West Associates invite you to be our guest for an interactive panel discussion on current trends in China and Asia, where we and your peers will answer your questions and provide practical solutions to conducting business in Asia.

The events take place on June 11 in Raleigh, NC and June 12 in Charlotte, NC.

See event information...

Lunch with Ken Stewart, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development

2008-04-14T15:09:00.002-04:00

Commissioner Ken Stewart of the Georgia Department of Economic Development will address Georgia-China Alliance members regarding Governor Sonny Perdue’s trip to China and the state of Georgia-China relations in general. The GCA looks forward to welcoming Commissioner Stewart back home after a successful trip!

Monday, April 21, 2008
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
SunTrust Plaza
World Trade Center
303 Peachtree St NE # 100Atlanta, GA 30308(404) 880-1550
Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at http://www.georgiachina.com/ under “event”

GCA Members $10; Non-Members $30. We are limited to 50 at this event; GCA members receive priority until April 17, 2008. Parking at SunTrust Plaza garage will be validated.

Payment: A check payable to “Georgia China Alliance” at the registration table

For additional information: rong@georgiachina.com or call (678) 334-6136.

Womble Carlyle Hosts Reception at Chinese Embassy

2008-04-08T13:20:00.004-04:00

Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., a member of Womble Carlyle's Baltimore office and former Governor of Maryland, highlighted Womble Carlyle's China initiative in remarks to more than 100 business and government leaders Thursday at the Chinese Embassy in Washington. Womble Carlyle launched its successful China initiative in 2007 to strengthen relations between industries in the U.S. and China.

The "Gateway to China" forum was sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce of Virginia. Other speakers included Minister Counselor Zhang Ping of the Chinese Embassy and U.S. Representative Tom Davis of Virginia.

(L to R): Jerry Boykin, U.S. Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, Governor Ehrlich, and Minister Counselor Zhang from the Chinese Embassy
photo courtesy of the Chinese Embassy

Click here to read more...

Additional photos

(L to R): Jack Kantak, Zion Levi, & Mel Chaskin. Mr. Kantak and Mr. Chaskin work for Vanguard Research

(L to R): Womble Carlyle's Zion Levi & Guanming Fang

(L to R): U.S. Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia & Governor Ehrlich

(L to R): Minister Counselor Zhang Ping & Governor Ehrlich

(L to R): Liansheng Li, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S.
& Governor Ehrlich

(L to R): Governor Ehrlich & Jerry Boykin

U.S.-China Differences and Their Impact on Business Behaviors

2008-03-18T13:16:00.000-04:00

China may be the second largest trading partner of the U.S., but the road to this increasingly close relationship has not been an easy one. There have been a lot more failures and struggles in these cross-border business interactions than successes. Although it is probably true in the business world as a whole that there will be more failures than successes, the vast differences between the U.S. and China certainly have played a major role in the struggles and failures in U.S.-China business transactions. Understanding and adapting to differences cannot guarantee success but can make the venture a little easier.

Click here to continue reading (pdf).

Womble Carlyle Attorneys Attend Chinese Embassy Reception in Washington, D.C. Hosted by Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong

2007-12-21T14:36:00.003-05:00

Former Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich, communications consultant Greg Massoni, both of Womble Carlyle and attorney Ed Miller, attended the Maryland China Business Council's annual reception at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. on November 14, 2007, hosted by China's Ambassador to the U.S. Zhou Wenzhong. They were joined by over 100 Maryland business leaders and senior embassy staff at this event designed to foster stronger relations between the State of Maryland and China.

Gov. Ehrlich received special recognition at the event for his efforts to improve ties with China, which he undertook while serving in the United States Congress and as Maryland's governor. The State of Maryland has enjoyed an especially close relationship with China over many years in part due to its establishing the first ever state office in China, which Gov. Ehrlich visited in 2004 to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of its inception.

(attendees listen to Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, right)

Gov. Ehrlich first met Ambassador Zhou at Government House in Annapolis, Maryland in 2005 , shortly after Gov. Ehrlich’s return from China, when the Governor hosted a reception welcoming Ambassador Zhou to his new posting in the U.S.

Since joining Womble Carlyle, Gov. Ehrlich has drawn on his extensive contacts and knowledge of China to help the Firm grow its China Practice.

Womble Carlyle Attorneys Address Duke University Sponsored China Conference

2007-10-30T18:56:00.000-04:00

Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt and former Director of Economic Development for the Charlotte Regional Partnership John Hunter, both Womble Carlyle members, were the only attorneys invited to address a Duke University-sponsored “Going Global” conference, discussing investment by Chinese companies in the U.S., on September 21, 2007 in Durham, North Carolina.

(Liang Zhidong, Vice President, China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation, right)

Local business and academic leaders attended the conference, which was organized for the benefit of a thirty-two member Chinese delegation headed by China's Assistant Minister of Commerce Chen Jian. Mr. Chen is responsible for China's “Go Global” policy, which encourages, often with Chinese government financial assistance, overseas foreign direct investment by Chinese companies. His office also encourages companies to establish overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, which Chinese companies select as areas for establishing overseas operations based on market conditions and perceived investment opportunities.

The Chinese delegation was comprised of officials from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and government-backed private enterprises.

That evening, at a dinner banquet in honor of the Chinese delegation, sponsored in part by Womble Carlyle, North Carolina Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Business Development and Trade Anthony Copeland, on behalf of the State of North Carolina, signed a cooperation agreement with China.

This agreement committed the respective parties to explore opportunities for increased Chinese investment in North Carolina and to identify potential Chinese companies with which North Carolina-based companies can partner on business ventures in China.

Womble Carlyle's participation in the Duke-sponsored conference followed a May 10, 2007 private dinner, of which Womble Carlyle was the exclusive sponsor, to welcome China's Vice Minister of Commerce Madam Ma Xiuhong, and a delegation of over 100 governmental and business leaders on a multi-city tour for a buying mission to purchase U.S. products and services.

More than 170 guests, including Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Georgia State Senator Judson Hill and Greg Pridgeon, chief of staff to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, attended that dinner, which was the only one held in the Southeastern U.S. The delegation's visit to Atlanta was the second stop in a six-city tour, which also included San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Richmond and Washington, D.C.

Womble Carlyle was invited to host that dinner and participate in the Duke University conference as a result of the Firm’s growing China practice, which began with a two week business tour of China in March 2007. During the tour, a nine-member delegation met with Chinese business leaders and officials representing U.S.-owned companies in China, as well as Chinese companies operating in the U.S.

Deal Boosts Womble’s China Practice

2007-09-20T15:36:00.000-04:00

The firm’s Guanming Fang helped bring Sany Heavy Industry’s U.S. plant to Georgia

A major Chinese construction equipment maker’s announcement Wednesday that it is opening a plant in Peachtree City was a milestone for the emerging China practice of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, the law firm that brokered the deal.

In a deal two years in the making, Sany Heavy Industry Co. will launch a $30 million assembly plant in Peachtree Industrial Park.

“It’s been a long relationship,” said Womble’s Guanming Fang, the firm’s lead lawyer on the project.

Read more from the Fulton County (Ga.) Daily Report...

Reception Part of Largest Biotech Industry Event ever in China

2007-09-20T15:33:00.000-04:00

Womble Carlyle was the exclusive law firm sponsor of a dinner reception highlighting Maryland’s biotech industry on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 in the Maryland Center China’s (MCC) reception room in downtown Shanghai. The dinner reception was timed to coincide with Biotech China (www.biotech-china.com/en/), the largest biotech industry event ever in China. Since its founding ten years ago, Biotech China remains the only annual international exhibition in China focusing on biomedicine, gene-technology and life sciences.

Over fifty Chinese biotech and pharmaceutical industry leaders attended the invite-only dinner reception, which featured three presentations: an overview of Maryland’s biotech industry by MCC Chairman Ning Shao, a company’s perspective on Maryland’s biotech industry from Battelle’s Senior Vice President for Biotherapeutics Dr. David Robinson and a presentation by Dr. Zhao Guoping, a director of Shanghai Biochip Company, considered one of the leading Chinese biotech companies, on the state of China’s biotech industry.

Womble Carlyle was invited to serve as exclusive law firm host of the dinner reception, because of the Firm’s strong life sciences practice, concentrated in the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S., and its relationships in China established, in part, during the Firm's two-week business trip to China in March. During the tour, a nine-member delegation met with Chinese business leaders and officials representing U.S.-owned companies in China, as well as Chinese companies operating in the United States.

The itinerary included meetings with the Ningbo Foreign Affairs Office, the American Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Commercial Service, the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone, the Jiangsu Province’s Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronic Products.As a result of the meeting with the Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronic Products, Womble Carlyle was asked to be the exclusive host of a private dinner on Thursday, May 10, 2007 at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Rooftop Pavilion in downtown Atlanta. The dinner welcomed China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Madam Ma Xiuhong, who was leading a delegation of over 100 governmental and business leaders on a multi-city tour for a buying mission to purchase U.S. products and services.

Womble Carlyle Hosts Delegation from China

2007-05-17T15:49:00.000-04:00

Womble Carlyle was the exclusive host of a dinner welcoming the China delegation to Atlanta on Thursday, May 10, 2007 at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's Rooftop Pavilion in downtown Atlanta. The private dinner welcomed China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Madam Ma Xiuhong, who is leading a delegation of over 100 governmental and business leaders on a multi-city tour for a buying mission to purchase U.S. products and services.

Steve Dunlevie, Managing Member of Womble Carlyle's Atlanta office and Madam Ma Xiuhong, China's Vice Minister of Commerce and head of the delegation (right).

Read more on Womble Carlyle's web site...

China Delegation Photo Gallery (click to enlarge each photo)

2007-04-02T15:18:00.000-04:00

Spring 2007 China Mission Itinerary (日程)

2007-03-29T15:05:00.000-04:00

March 20 – March 21: Beijing, Chaoyang District "Introducing the Southeast of the U.S." seminar and reception

March 22 - Tianjin

March 23 - Jinan, Shandong Province

March 24 - Changsha, Hunan Province

March 25-27 - Shanghai "Introducing the Southeast of the U.S." seminar and reception.

March 28 - Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

March 29-30 -Ningbo, Zhejiang Province

Womble China Delegation Sweeps Many Provinces in China

2007-03-28T11:13:00.000-04:00

During the last eight days, the Womble China Delegation has met with many business leaders and government officials through out several provinces and municipalities in the east crescent of China, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Hunan and Jiangsu. Many of these business leaders and government officials confirmed Womble's belief that Chinese companies are willing, capable and ready to expand their business to the U.S. and that the Chinese government is encouraging this expansion. One of the companies we met came to the meeting with a list of questions. A seminar hosted by the Delegation in Shanghai to introduce the SE and the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. attracted more than 130 Chinese business & government leaders, who packed the conference room making it literally a standing room only event. The enthusiasm we saw about the U.S. was everywhere. Many of the companies we met had specific plans for the U.S. market. Intellectual property protection is a topic that comes up in almost every meeting. Chinese companies are no longer focusing only on attracting foreign capital. They are eager to learn from the U.S. about management, process, new concepts, new technology and services.

The trip has been an eye opening experience for the Delegation. We are awed by the level of maturity of many of the companies we met, encouraged by the current economic policies in China and delighted by people's enthusiasm about the U.S. We have also been introduced to many delicious Chinese foods, including some that we ate solely out of respect for our Chinese hosts, such as the goose feet we had in Suzhou.

China Mission Photo Gallery (click to enlarge each photo)

2007-03-25T18:13:00.000-04:00

Womble Carlyle Delegation Visits Tianjin

2007-03-22T12:59:00.000-04:00

Womble's China Delegation spent its second day in China in Tianjin. The delegation visited the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone and Green World Group. The group also toured the Tianjin Airport Industrial Park. The day ended with wonderful banquet hosted by the Deputy Director of Tianjin Commission of Commerce at a hotel where President Hoover had stayed before he became president. Both the Free Trade Zone and the Industrial Park were very impressive projects. According to the Deputy Director, 100 of the Fortune 500 companies have set up operations in Tianjin, with many of them in the Free Trade Zone or the Industrial Park.

Womble Carlyle China Delegation Kicks Off First Day with a Bang

2007-03-21T13:03:00.000-04:00

Womble Carlyle's China Delegation arrived in Beijing, China safely on March 20, 2007. The Delegation kicked off its first day of the China Mission with a visit to the U.S. Embassy Commercial Service. Commercial Officers Sarh E. Kemp, Elizabeth Shieh and Patrick L. Chow briefed the Delegation about the economic environment in China and described the services Commercial Service provides to U.S. companies. Following this meeting, the Delegation visited Lenovo's Beijing Plant and NucTech Company Ltd., a Chinese technology company, and met with China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products. The day ended with a successful Presentation/Reception hosted by the Delegation to introduce the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States.

Womble Carlyle Organizes Its First Ever Business Tour of China; Former N.C. Governor James Hunt to Lead Delegation

2007-03-19T13:06:00.000-04:00

In 2006, China surpassed Mexico as the United States’ second-largest trading partner, trailing only Canada. China’s rapid economic growth in heavy manufacturing, agriculture and service industries means American companies will become even more connected with their Chinese counterparts in the years to come.

Womble Carlyle is meeting this trend head-on. The firm is taking the extraordinary and aggressive step of sending a team of attorneys on a two-week business tour of China.

The nine-member delegation, which includes lawyers from across the South Atlantic region, will meet with Chinese business leaders, including officials from U.S.-owned industries in China, as well as executives from Chinese companies operating in America. The goal is to improve relations with Chinese industry and foster client development in the world’s most populous nation.

In addition, the team will discuss business opportunities for Chinese companies in the South Atlantic region, which potentially could bring jobs and investment to the area.

Former four-term North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt will be leading the delegation. Gov. Hunt has been a long-time champion of improving U.S. relations with Asia. As governor, he recruited the first Japanese companies to build facilities in North Carolina nearly 30 years ago. His contacts in the Far East were instrumental in putting this trip together.

"We want to discover ways to serve these companies more effectively," Gov. Hunt said. "This is a groundbreaking trip for our law firm."

The Womble Carlyle attorneys will meet with executives from Chinese industry, current Womble Carlyle clients, attorneys from Chinese law firms and American and Chinese government officials. The itinerary includes meetings with the Ningbo Foreign Affairs Office, the American Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Commercial Service, the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone and the Jiangsu Province’s Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. The Georgia-China Alliance, the North Carolina China Center and the North Carolina Department of Commerce assisted the firm in setting up various business meetings.

The firm also will host two "Doing Business in the Southeast" seminars for Chinese businesses during the two-week tour—one in Beijing and one in Shanghai. In addition, attorney Randy Hanson will be speaking at the Zsoft Outsourcing Summit, an international meeting of software companies, in Beijing.

Guanming Fang, a corporate and securities and economic development attorney in the firm’s Atlanta office, also will participate in the two-week tour. Guanming was born and raised in China and speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese.

The delegation also includes attorneys John Hunter, Ed Miller, Kirk Watkins, Rory Whelehan, Jim Kearney and Zion Levi.

Meetings are scheduled in seven Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Jinan, Suzhou and Ningbo.