The recent failure of Chinese private equity firm CDH Investments in the IPO exit of Chinese pork company WH Group has triggered discussions on Chinese private equity firms’ capabilities in competing in the global arena. Chen Dujuan reports with additional reporting from Stephen Aldred of Reuters

As Asia’s appreciation for intellectual property rights grows, lawyers in the region note that competition law is increasingly finding its way into IP matters. In China, the issue of anticompetitive behaviour over IP rights is coming to the fore, evidenced by several recent high-profile investigations. Kanishk Verghese reports, with additional reporting by Michael Martina and Matthew Miller of Reuters

Significant recent pharmaceutical industry integrations and M&As have drawn global attention, even as China’s crackdown on corruption in this sector continues. As the authorities ponder implementing further reforms to the healthcare system, Liu Zhen explores what could happen next

Dozens of Chinese companies have abandoned plans to list in the mainland this year, as confusion reigns among executives, bankers and investors over an opaque regulatory review that’s clouding what was touted as a banner year for new stock debuts. Natalie Thomas and Pete Sweeney of Reuters report

The Ministry of Justice has recently allowed foreign law firms to exchange legal counsel and set up joint ventures with Chinese firms within the pilot Shanghai Free-Trade Zone, in the strongest recent sign that China is serious about opening up its legal services industry further, finds Liu Zhen

Chinese banks are stuck in a lose-lose legal battle between domestic shipyards and foreign buyers over billions of dollars in refund guarantees that are supposed to be paid out if shipbuilders fail to deliver on time, reports Pete Sweeney of Reuters

Credit warning signs are flashing for heavily indebted Chinese semiconductor, software and commodities firms as the government cautiously steps aside to let market forces play a bigger role in deciding winners and losers. China's first-ever domestic bond default last month - a missed interest payment from Chaori Solar – has shattered the belief that Beijing would always bail out struggling companies, say Umesh Desai and Gabriel Wildau of Reuters

The heads of legal of several privately owned, state-owned and multinational companies from various industries talk to Asian Legal Business about their relationships with external law firms, their experiences while working with such firms, and how these law firms can improve their services and modes of operation.

Liu Zhen speaks to lawyers in Chengdu and Chongqing, the two centres of West China’s legal industry, about their efforts to catch up with the most advanced international management practices, converting the region’s economical potential into revenue, and the attempts of local entrepreneurs to go abroad and bring home opportunities for future growth.

Yet another campaign against corruption is sweeping China. After multinational pharmaceutical companies, some big Chinese state-owned companies have now been reported to be under the scanner. Meanwhile, as Chinese companies expand overseas, such investigations might also raise concerns of foreign anti-corruption laws. International lawyers talk with Liu Zhen on the new developments and the impact of the crackdown, and suggest steps that companies should take to reinforce their compliance programmes.