Overview
Vinson & Elkins opened its Beijing office in 1997. In 2003, V&E received permission to open a second office in Shanghai, followed by our Hong Kong office in 2006. Our China offices are staffed with U.S., English and PRC lawyers, and offers clients spoken and written Mandarin language capability, including the ability to negotiate, draft, and translate Chinese language legal documents.

The Vinson & Elkins’ China practice group has extensive experience in advising western companies investing in China, as well as in representing Chinese companies on their overseas projects and acquisitions. Our lawyers in China assist clients with the complex Chinese regulatory approval process, conducting due diligence, structuring investments, and negotiating and drafting all necessary documentation. We are also experienced in the post-investment legal, administrative, and regulatory aspects of operating a business in the People’s Republic of China.

In terms of practice areas, our China practice lawyers have represented clients making direct investments in a variety of energy, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, high-tech, and other foreign direct investment projects in the PRC. Our energy experience includes the acquisition and development of oil and gas projects, pipelines (including cross-border pipeline projects), coal and gas-fired power generation projects, wind power farms, and hydroelectric projects; and refining and petrochemical projects. Our telecommunications experience includes representing strategic and venture capital investors in wireless, satellite, and broadband projects and in ISP, ICP, and ASP ventures in the PRC. In addition, our lawyers have experience representing both borrowers and lenders, including foreign banks, Chinese banks, and multi-laterals, in financing such projects.

Much of our work involves representing international investors in negotiating and documenting joint ventures with Chinese investors. We have assisted clients in forming joint ventures with some of China's largest and best-known companies, as well as with prominent enterprises in most of China's regions. In the same context, we have worked with central and local governmental authorities in substantive negotiations on joint venture projects.

Our lawyers are regularly in contact with central and regional governmental authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), and their local branches. We often work with our clients to obtain approval for their projects at the highest levels within the PRC government, including the State Council, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). We have also worked with provincial and local entities in the PRC with approval authority, including Special Economic Zones.