The protection of trade secrets in China has undergone a fundamental modernization with the adoption of the Regulation on the Protection of Trade Secrets by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on February 24, 2026. The Regulation, which enters into force on June 1, 2026, replacing the provisions from 1995, constitutes the most significant reform of Chinese trade secret protection in three decades. This article analyzes the central innovations of the reform – from the expanded definition of trade secrets, through the clarification of...
Which legal form we chose for entering the Chinese market depends on a number of factors.
The first step is usually to engage a commercial agent or to set up a representative office. If a production company is being founded, a Joint Venture has been proven to be the most popular form in the past, as a well-networked Chinese partner can be of great advantage. Often there were difficulties with the two partners, particularly due to both having different objectives from the Joint Venture. Currently the most popular form is the WFOE - three quarters of all start-ups are performed as a...