China Working Group Publications
The Meta-Manus deal: what China’s foreign investment security review means for cross-border M&A in sensitive sectors
On 27 April 2026, the office of the working mechanism for foreign investment security review under China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) prohibited Meta’s proposed acquisition of Manus, a Chinese AI agent company, and required the parties to unwind the transaction arrangements. The reported decision appears to confirm that China’s foreign investment security review regime will be applied aggressively to AI-related transactions involving key technologies, data capabilities and core technical talent. This article explores how this effects the US-China political landscape and cross-border investments and acquisitions in the technology sector
Released on Jun 14, 2026
Key US employment law issues of concern to Chinese employers in 2026: a strategic update
US employment law risk has expanded well beyond traditional human resources compliance. For employers operating in the US employment issues increasingly intersect with immigration enforcement, data governance, workplace management strategy and regulatory investigations. These risks are amplified by a fragmented legal system in which federal, state and local rules overlap, and where enforcement agencies and private litigants play an increasingly active role. This article provides a focused overview of five US employment law areas which are currently of the greatest concern to employers: immigration enforcement, DEI programmes, cybersecurity and employee data protection, challenges in implementing return-to-work policies and whistleblower claims. The article highlights enforcement trends, litigation risk and governance considerations most relevant to multinational and China-based employers.
Released on May 04, 2026
Enhanced enforcement against bid rigging in China: implications for the Belt and Road Initative
In recent years, multiple provinces in China have launched ‘retrospective’ enforcement campaigns, with some jurisdictions extending the look-back period to as far back as 13 years, attracting widespread attention from market participants and the international engineering community. This article reviews recent developments in China in regard to the enforcement and governance efforts taken to address collusive bidding, with a particular focus on practical approaches inspired by the Operational Guidelines for Preventing Collusive Bidding in Contractor Project Bidding, and further analyses the implications for bid-tendering risk management within engineering projects that are part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Released on Mar 11, 2026
The complicated set of employment laws in Pakistan and the impact on Chinese companies operating in the country
Pakistan’s employment law framework is often described as fragmented, technical and difficult to navigate, leading to misunderstandings and compliance issues. This article analyses how the lack of a single, unified employment code proves a challenge for both foreign and domestic companies, focusing on Chinese businesses to demonstrate the impact this decentralisation creates.
Released on Mar 03, 2026
China’s reaction to the crypto frenzy
This article explores the impact of cryptocurrency on the payments industry and the traditional financial system from a national currency perspective, while shedding light on China’s policies and position on the matter.
Released on Jan 14, 2026
China's regulation of artificial intelligence – progress and challenges
Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing rapidly in China, with the number of patents and the size of the market both ranking highly among countries. However, this rapid development has posed new challenges to the legal framework, ethical norms and social governance, prompting China to continuously adjust and improve the relevant regulatory system.
Released on Dec 04, 2025