Simmons & Simmons has launched an Italian desk in Asia, led by Milan-based partner Dario Spinella. The desk offers advice on inbound and outbound investments between Asia and the European country.

While a number of U.S. firms have closed or scaled back their presence in Greater China in the past couple of years, two have actually opened offices in the PRC in recent weeks. As both focus on legal work related to mainland’s booming technology industry, could this be a sustainable model for other U.S. firms in China, asks John Kang.

China pledged on Sunday to press ahead with market opening and reforms while reiterating that it will treat domestic and foreign firms equally and protect intellectual property rights.

China needs to further open its capital markets and create a level playing field for foreign investors while allowing more risk-hedging tools in the country’s markets, the head of an Asian securities industry body said on Tuesday.

China’s opening up is self-initiated and will not be forced by pressure from other countries, the country’s commerce ministry said on Sunday on its official Wechat account.

The United States launched a complaint against China at the World Trade Organization on Friday, part of a package of trade measures announced by President Donald Trump on Thursday over China’s alleged theft of U.S. intellectual property.

As U.S. President Donald Trump dealt a blow to China with plans to slap tariffs on $60 billion of trade, he quietly delivered a slap in the face to one of Washington’s closest allies, Japan, which got no exemption from earlier announced duties.

China said it will work to improve levels of standardisation in its electric vehicle industry - a sector it is aggressively promoting to help combat smog and to position the country as a leading car-making giant in the future.

ALB will identify leading general counsels in ranking of 2018 ALB China Top 15 GCs, which will be published in June. The submissions are open to all general counsels or head of legal affairs based in China.

After three months of rigorous research, Asian Legal Business is pleased to announce the nominations of JC Consulting Thomson Reuters ALB China Law Awards 2018.