The forum "Chinese Enterprises Investing In the EU - Legal & Regulatory Compliance and Risk Control" was successfully held on November 7, 2025 in Shanghai as one of the CIIE Shanghai Events and Conferences. The event was jointly organized by the Shanghai Pudong Service Center for Overseas Investment, with collaborative support from the Pudong New Area Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Shanghai International Studies University School of Law. This forum is designed to further streamline compliance pathways for Chinese enterprises entering the European market, establishing a professional communication platform to advance Sino-European economic and trade cooperation toward greater depth and higher quality. During the event, the Practical Guide to Legal Affairs for Chinese Enterprises Investing in the EU was officially released. Compiled jointly by Beijing Dacheng (Shanghai) Law Office and Shanghai Pudong Service Center for Overseas Investment, the guide features representative service cases handled by both organizations in recent years, alongside expert research articles contributed by senior lawyers. It serves as an authoritative, practical, and instructive reference for Chinese enterprises investing in the European Union.

On-site Photos

Zhang Haibin, Dean of the Graduate School and Dean of the School of Law at Shanghai International Studies University, delivered the opening address. He expressed sincere gratitude to the forum's host, the Shanghai Pudong Service Center for Overseas Investment, and the co-host, Beijing Dacheng (Shanghai) Law Office, and extended a warm welcome to all distinguished guests in attendance. Dean Zhang highlighted that 2025 marks a pivotal moment for China and Europe, as mutual travel restrictions are lifted and all-round cooperation is set to deepen. He noted that while Europe's legal framework presents challenges for Chinese enterprises going global, it also offers valuable opportunities to learn international rules and enhance global governance capabilities. He emphasized that the European Union, as a major global economy, remains one of the key destinations for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas through investments. However, he cautioned that opportunities are invariably accompanied by risks. Fully recognizing these risks and building a systematic, professional legal risk prevention system has become essential for Chinese enterprises to achieve sustainable and stable growth in their EU investments. Dean Zhang further stated that the School of Law at Shanghai International Studies University is committed to its mission of cultivating high-caliber talent in foreign-related legal affairs who are both ethically grounded and legally proficient, equipping students to become pillars in safeguarding national interests and corporate rights on the international stage. In conclusion, Dean Zhang expressed his hope that today's discussions would provide actionable insights for enterprises addressing challenges in global expansion and contribute fresh, practical material for academic research in international economic law.

Dean of the Graduate School and the School of Law at Shanghai International Studies University
Zhang Haibin

Feng Ji, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Pudong Service Center for Overseas Investment, extended a warm welcome to all distinguished guests attending the event. Secretary-General Feng stated that "New Era, Shared Future" is the theme of this year's CIIE, through which global new products, technologies, and services enter the Chinese market, transforming exhibits into commodities and exhibitors into investors. Simultaneously, the CIIE has facilitated the deep integration of China's industrial chains with global advanced factors such as capital and technology. It is precisely this openness and integration that has reshaped the core competitiveness of Chinese enterprises and spurred the current wave of companies "going global." However, against the backdrop of evolving international geopolitical dynamics, Chinese enterprises investing in Europe face numerous challenges, such as continuously rising compliance thresholds and complex issues related to localized operations. As a private non-enterprise organization dedicated to supporting enterprises in their global expansion, the Shanghai Pudong Service Center for Overseas Investment is committed to "two-way empowerment," creating a multifunctional cluster for outbound enterprises and helping Chinese companies broaden their global perspectives. The Center has also introduced a series of policies to leverage its institutional strengths, deepen strategic collaboration with professional service providers, and deliver a comprehensive suite of integrated solutions. In conclusion, Secretary-General Feng emphasized that challenges and opportunities coexist for enterprises expanding abroad. By embracing the certainty of close cooperation, we can navigate the uncertainties of today's world with confidence and resilience.

Secretary-General of the Shanghai Enterprise "Going Global" Comprehensive Service Center
Feng Ji

Emmanuel Meril (Ma Yue), Counsel at Dacheng Law Offices, delivered a presentation titled "EU FDI Regulations and Investment Strategies for Chinese Enterprises & The China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment" Counsel Ma pointed out that the European Union, with over 7 trillion euros in foreign investment stock and a consumer market of 450 million people, offers significant strategic opportunities for Chinese enterprises, particularly in areas where they hold competitive advantages such as renewable energy, semiconductors, and electric vehicles. These opportunities hold great potential, especially in production localization and research and development cooperation. He noted that while EU regulations safeguard the freedom and equal treatment of Chinese enterprises in establishing businesses and capital flows, they also include review mechanisms in sensitive sectors such as defense and critical infrastructure, with particularly strict enforcement in countries like France and Germany. Although the finalization and ratification process of the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) between China and the EU is currently hindered by geopolitical factors, the reciprocal cooperation framework it represents still holds immense potential. Counsel Ma advised Chinese investors to proactively seize the opportunities within the EU market and remain attentive to the favorable conditions emerging regions such as Central and Eastern Europe offer. He also reminded the audience that many EU countries conduct reviews of the ultimate beneficial owners of investments. Therefore, investing in a sensitive industry entity in one Eastern European country does not guarantee exemption from screening when investing in another EU member state.

Counsel at Dacheng Law Offices
Emmanuel Meril (Ma Yue)

Ni Jianlin, Partner at Dacheng Law Offices, delivered a presentation titled "EU Trade Policy Changes: Challenges and Responses for New Energy Investments." At the outset, Mr. Ni introduced several key regulatory frameworks implemented by the EU to advance its green transition and ensure fair competition. He not only listed the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the EU Green Deal legislation, the EU's new Battery Regulation, the EU Sustainability Directives (CSRD and CSDDD), and the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), but also provided an in-depth explanation of how these policies impose comprehensive and multi-dimensional supervision on every segment of the new energy industry chain. Subsequently, drawing on numerous initiated FSR investigation cases, Mr. Ni vividly illustrated how the FSR has become an immediate and severe challenge for Chinese enterprises participating in the EU market. Based on this analysis, he offered practical recommendations for responding to FSR scrutiny. Following this, by presenting data on the EU's "high dependency risk" on China in the field of net-zero technologies, Mr. Ni revealed the urgency and empirical underpinnings of the EU's strategy to "de-risk" its supply chains, clarifying the deeper drivers behind this series of policy shifts. In conclusion, Mr. Ni emphasized that supply chain restructuring is the core strategy for addressing current challenges. Through the strategic reorganization of global supply chains, sustainable development can be pursued within the context of the EU's evolving trade policy landscape.

Partner at Dacheng Law Offices
Ni Jianlin

Liu (Julie) Yujuan, Managing Partner of Forvis Mazars in China, delivered a presentation titled "Opportunities and Challenges in Investing in Key European Sectors: A Financial and Tax Perspective." Ms. Liu began by using the semiconductor industry as a case study, providing a detailed analysis of the background and objectives of the European Chips Act. She highlighted that this presents two major opportunities for Chinese enterprises: first, leveraging their manufacturing capabilities and cost advantages in areas such as packaging, testing, materials, and equipment supply to integrate into the European manufacturing ecosystem; and second, entering high-growth niche markets like automotive and industrial chips through technological collaboration and mergers and acquisitions. She also addressed the accompanying challenges of policy compliance. In response, Ms. Liu proposed systematic strategies from financial and tax perspectives. She then focused on the electric vehicle and battery sectors, discussing how to balance investment with compliance during the green transition. Ms. Liu outlined recent policy developments, including the EU Battery Regulation and the phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles. She noted that opportunities for Chinese companies exist in localized production, supply chain development, and green investment incentives, while challenges include stringent compliance requirements, intense market competition, and growing investment uncertainties. Following this, Ms. Liu explained sustainability reporting requirements and presented a comprehensive set of response strategies. In conclusion, she emphasized that the European market is defined by "high regulation, high transparency, and high returns." For well-prepared Chinese enterprises, these high standards can provide greater predictability and clarity. She advised companies to carefully plan their tax structures, compliance approaches, and local stakeholder management, and to engage internationally experienced advisors to ensure successful market entry and sustainable growth.

Managing Partner of Forvis Mazars in China
Liu (Julie) Yujuan

The roundtable discussion was themed "Cross-Cultural Management and Compliant Operations: The Path to Success for Chinese Enterprises in the EU," and was moderated by Wu Jingjing, Partner at Dacheng Law Offices. The panelists included Guo (Amada) Yulan, Partner at Dacheng Law Offices; Bai Lirong, Vice President of Human Resources at YunQuNa Logistics Technology Group Co., Ltd.; and Yin Xiumeng, Chairman of Yinghai Technology Group. Ms. Wu initiated the dialogue by citing practical cases to introduce the core theme of how Chinese enterprises can succeed in the EU market. The panelists analyzed the underlying logic of the EU regulatory system, emphasizing that compliance is essentially "building institutional trust" and that enterprises must shift from a mindset of "passive compliance" to "proactive governance." They shared practical experiences in embedding strategy within organizations, particularly highlighting mechanisms to balance cultural differences. The speakers also noted that to meet green transition regulations, companies need to undergo fundamental changes in organizational capabilities and decision-making processes. Subsequently, the discussion focused on "Compliance by Design and Top-Level Planning." The panelists unanimously agreed that compliance should be a systematic project led by top management and integrated upfront into strategy. They elaborated on this from various perspectives, including the role of leadership, the early involvement of HR systems, and transforming compliance into a competitive advantage. Finally, the panelists emphasized that deep understanding of cultural and institutional contexts is essential for building the soft power of trust, while precise management of compliance rules constitutes the hard skills needed to establish sustainable competitiveness.

The roundtable discussion (from left to right)
Partner at Dacheng Law Offices：Wu Jingjing
Partner at Dacheng Law Offices：Guo (Amada) Yulan
Vice President of Human Resources at YunQuNa Logistics Technology Group Co., Ltd.：Bai Lirong
Chairman of Yinghai Technology Group： Yin Xiumeng

Fu (Jason) Qiang, Board Member of Dacheng Law Offices and Deputy CEO of Advisory Committee of Dacheng Law Offices, as well as Chief Executive of Dacheng Shanghai Office, delivered the closing remarks. Mr. Fu expressed his sincerest gratitude to all the distinguished guests in attendance and to the organizations that provided strong support: the Shanghai Pudong Service Center for Overseas Investment, the Pudong New Area Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, the Shanghai International Studies University School of Law, and the Criminal Law School of East China University of Political Science and Law. He noted that today's two thematic forums—"Chinese Enterprises Investing In the EU - Legal & Regulatory Compliance and Risk Control" and "Chinese Enterprises Going Global - Criminal Compliance and Risk Control"—together outlined a comprehensive panorama of the challenges currently faced by Chinese enterprises expanding overseas. Mr. Fu pointed out that the simultaneous lifting of travel restrictions between China and Europe has opened new avenues for deeper collaboration between businesses of the two sides. How to operate compliantly and mitigate risks has become the central issue for Chinese enterprises investing in the EU. As economic and trade relations between China and Europe deepen, investment in the EU is no longer merely about capital export but also requires a profound understanding of the local legal framework, business culture, and regulatory intent. He emphasized that the core insight of today's event is that "criminal compliance must come first in global expansion." Building an effective, end-to-end criminal compliance system is no longer an "option" but a "mandatory course" and a "safety valve" for corporate internationalization. The investment risks specific to the EU and global criminal risks are interwoven and complex. Dacheng Shanghai will continue to deepen its professional research and expand its service scope, striving to become the most reliable "global expansion partner" for Chinese enterprises. In conclusion, Mr. Fu once again thanked all the guests for their participation and expressed his hope for more extensive and in-depth exchanges and cooperation in the future.

Board Member of Dacheng Law Offices and Deputy CEO of Advisory Committee of Dacheng Law Offices
Fu (Jason) Qiang

"The Chinese Enterprises Investing In the EU - Legal & Regulatory Compliance and Risk Control" forum was chaired by Geng (Eason) Yicheng, Partner at Dacheng Law Offices. 

Partner at Dacheng Law Offices
Geng (Eason) Yicheng

With this, the "Chinese Enterprises Investing In the EU - Legal & Regulatory Compliance and Risk Control" forum successfully concluded. The forum not only provided a precise analysis of the latest regulatory developments in the EU across trade, environmental protection, subsidy reviews, and criminal compliance but also offered forward-looking, systematic risk prevention strategies and practical solutions for Chinese enterprises from legal, financial, tax, and operational perspectives. It marked a solid step forward in supporting the high-quality global expansion of Chinese enterprises and contributed professional expertise and platform strength to shaping a new framework for China-EU economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, Dacheng Shanghai will continue to deepen its research on the legal and policy landscapes of key markets such as the EU, expanding the breadth and depth of its cross-border services. It remains committed to becoming the most trusted strategic partner for enterprises on their globalization journey, safeguarding the steady and sustainable growth of more companies expanding overseas.

Group Photo