Investment Conditions, Sino-European Joint Ventures and Dispute Resolution between Chinese and European Parties

Manoj Mehta has served as Chief Executive Officer of naked Group since 2012. Manoj set a goal to harness the creativity and nimbleness of a startup organization and marry that with the structural platform required for growth. Since joining, Manoj has led several innovative change initiatives, instituted numerous programs to strengthen & optimize naked operations. These include leading the growth of naked by setting up the strategic direction, recruiting seasoned executive management team, restructuring the organization, expanding naked’s China footprint, incorporating technology to both enhance guest experiences and improving business processes, as well as anchoring company culture to the core values of naked. Under the leadership of Manoj, naked Group has created a diverse lifestyle brand that covers travel – naked Retreats, work – naked Hub, now under the wework brand, and wellness etc.

Manoj has worked and lived in 3 countries including the United States, China and India. Prior to naked Group, Manoj worked for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd and Ford Motor Co., Ltd in USA & China. He moved to Shanghai in 2005 to establish Goodyear’s Global Sourcing Business. Manoj earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from The State University of New York, and an MBA in Strategy & Finance from the Chicago Booth Business School. Manoj’s multicultural background, senior management experience and strong academic foundation allows him to perfectly combine strategic thinking with practical execution.

In addition to the naked Group board, Manoj also served as an independent Board of Director of Triangle Tyre Co. Ltd. (SH 601163) one of the largest and listed tire manufacture in China. Manoj is an active member of the American Chamber of Commerce and serves as a Mentor for the members of Shanghai Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO) and he has been actively engaged in Shanghai community life, serving as the Chairman of the Board for Shanghai Community Sports Club, Treasurer, and life member of the Shanghai Landers Beefsteak & Burgundy. President of Shanghai Cricket Club.

Kevin Leung is a logistics and supply chain professional. Over his 20 years’ career in the logistics industry, he has held a variety of business development, trade lane management, and sales leadership roles in several international and leading logistics companies.

Kevin has extensive experience in handling the supply chain issues of the enterprises doing the import /export business in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Abroad. The integrated logistics solutions provided by Kevin and his team are serving many global companies across Automotive, Hi-tech and Electronics, Food and Beverage, Health-care and Pharmaceutical industries.

Kevin is the Director Business Development of North East Asia region in cargo-partner. He holds a Master degree of Operations Management from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

I am an international M&A/corporate lawyer working on corporate finance, private equity and capital market law. Most of the transactions I lead are cross-border and multi-jurisdictional. I am the Managing Partner of Fieldfisher Austria.

I specialize in the field of complex, cross-border corporate issues and M&A transactions, leading international teams from various jurisdictions and legal areas. I do inbound and outbound international work and am able to refer to our teams abroad. My sectoral knowledge comprises industrials as well as the pharmaceutical/direct sales sector. I have an extensive network in the CEE/SEE region.

I work intensively for clients in the private equity and financial services sector – a sector on which I focus in my published works and as a speaker at international conferences.

I am also admitted as solicitor in England and Wales and work as part-time visiting professor at the University of Vienna, the University of Klagenfurt, University of Santa Clara/Summer Programme and the University of Liechtenstein (LLM programme) professorship for private and business law.

Further, I am author and publisher of numerous publications in corporate and commercial law journals and of various market-known law books regarding corporate and financial markets law, which are the main areas of my legal interests.

I am the publisher of “Der Konzern im Gesellschafts- und Steuerrecht” (Linde Verlag), one of the standard law books in Austria in the field of corporate and tax law and used broadly by practitioners and in-house legal teams in the banking and financial services sector.

Mr. Huang Jun, currently the Deputy General Manager of the General Management Department of APP (China) Real Estate Division of Sinar Mas Group (mainly responsible for the legal work of the Group’s real estate and the risk control and compliance business of commercial real estate, industrial real estate and medical health sector), and serves as the Executive Director and Legal Representative of the management company of the Group’s medical sector, Vice Chairman of the Fifth Council of Shanghai Enterprise Legal Consultants Association. He was previously the Deputy General Manager of the Legal Department of APP (China) (presiding over the daily work of the Legal Department), and the General Manager (acting) of the Legal Department. Before joining the Sinar Mas Group, he worked in Shanghai Haoliwen Law Firm (which has merged with Global Law Office), Zhonglun Law Firm, and Shanghai World Expo Affairs Coordination Bureau, wherehe was engaged in corporate legal and lawyer work. Lead and manage a legal team of nearly 100 staffin APP (China), assist shareholders and management in identifying and preventing major business risks, and make contributions in major difficult cases of litigation and arbitration. His expertiseregionsinclude: companies and investment, private equity, real estate and construction engineering, trade, finance, intellectual property,and other businesses.

Mr. Huang Jun has won the “Domestic Capital Market -Outstanding Legal Award (Individual)” and “Industrial Manufacturing and Chemical Industry -Outstanding Legal Award (Individual and Team)” in 2020, 2021-2022 and 2023 respectively by Vantage Asia, and won the “East China Corporate CounselAward (Individual)” and “Long-An East China Corporate CounselGroup Award (Team)” in 2022 by Asia Legal Business(ALB).

Jianlin Ni is the partner of Beijing Dacheng Law Offices, LLP (Shanghai). Jianlin Ni got his Doctor’s Degree in law from University of International Business and Economics in 2001. In September 2003, Dr. Ni led a delegation from Shanghai to attend the 3-month European Training Program on WTO Affairs in the EU and WTO headquarters. In October 2018, as one of National Leading Talents for Foreign-Related Legal Practice, Dr. Ni attended and completed one-month Training Program on Investment and Cross Border M&A from International Law Institute in the USA.

Dr. Ni practices on international trade, anti-dumping, trade compliance, M&A, FDI and international commercial dispute resolution.

Dr. Ni is a well-trained expert on international trade law and is experienced in resolving international trade disputes. He has represented more than 30 domestic companies in anti-dumping investigation cases initiated by foreign government. In the anti-dumping and countervailing investigation against Chinese solar panels initiated by EU, he represented many large domestic solar companies and provincial government.

Dr. Ni has advised many multinational companies with respect to their FDI and M&A projects in China. Dr. Ni advised Chinese companies and PE funds on their outbound investment and acquisition. The Free Trade Zone (FTZ) legal service team led by Dr. Ni is a leading team in the field of FTZ service and has accomplished dozens of Outbound Direct Investment (ODI) projects. Dr. Ni is the lecturer of FTZ training programs held by Shanghai Bar Association and participates in publishing the first compilation of FTZ laws and regulations in China.

In recent years, Dr. Ni has delivered more than one hundred public speeches in various forums and training conferences organized by governments and public institutions on China-US trade frictions, RCEP and the evolution of international economic and trade policies, international trade compliance trends, laws and policies of Free Trade Zone, “Belt and Road” and cross-border investment, which has won unanimous praise. Dr. Ni is a member of the foreign legal service lecturer group of the National Bar Association.

Mr. Bingguang YU is a Senior Partner of AllBright Law Offices, based in Shanghai Headquarter. He is also a permanent representative of AllBright Law Offices (London) Limited, Room 108, No.12 New Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1JP, Phone: +44 (0)20 3848 5721, Fax: +44 (0)20 7583 304.

Mr. Yu has rich experience on providing capital market legal services, such as IPO, M&A, funds, PE financing, FDI etc. Mr. Yu has provided legal services for hundreds of Chinese and foreign businesses in terms of investment and financing, establishment of new companies, inbound and outbound M&As, restructuring and asset restructuring, domestic and overseas IPOs, Asset-backed Securitizations, PE financing and funds-related legal services. Mr. Yu was engaged as permanent and/or project legal counsel for many companies. He is also invited to act as senior expert legal counsel by many renowned institutions, such as CGGT (China Going Global Think Tank), Senior Legal Services Think Tank, Yangtze River Delta Capital Market Base, ShangLian Think Tank, Elite V-Next Alliance, LinGang Innovation Management Institute, Shanghai State-owned Assets Journal and The Chamber of Commerce of Liaoning Province etc.

Mr. Yu graduated from the University of Westminster and obtained his MA Degree in Bilingual Translation, furthered his studies in the University College London（UCL）and obtained his LLM Degree in International Commercial Law and Corporation Law. Some of the works published by Mr. Yu including:

Bilingual Translation and Legal Writing; Labor Management of Foreign-invested Enterprises

Analysis on Legal Issues in Syndicated Loans; Project Finance and Risk Analysis

London AIM, an Ideal Listing Place for Chinese Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises

Comparison and Analysis on Costs and Latest Requirements on IPOs in Hongkong, USA, UK and Australia

Legal Risk Prevention Along the Belt and Road Countries for Investment in the UK

Detailed Analysis on the New Listing Rules of Hongkong

The Latest Changes and Application of Supervision and Administration Policies for VIE Overseas Listing

Approaching London Shanghai Stock Connect

Mr. Yu is fluent in both English and Chinese language.

Dr. iur. Dr. phil. Adolf PETER, LL.M., MA, CSE is Professor at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law (SHUPL), Consultant at the international law firm Fieldfisher (Vienna Office) and Co-Chair of the Legal & Compliance Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai focusing on international commercial arbitration, the enforcement of ESG standards in international supply chains and EU law.
A selection panel established by the European Commission found Dr. Peter suitable for appointment for the position of Arbitrator and Trade and Sustainable Development Expert in bilateral disputes under the EU’s trade agreements with third countries
In his capacity as Certified Supervisory Expert recognized by the Austrian Economic Chambers (WKO) he holds specialized one-day seminars for the WKO in Vienna directed at supervisory board members of companies.
Dr. Peter is the author of numerous arbitration- and ESG-related publications in international law journals and the book “CSR and Codes of Business Ethics in the USA, Austria (EU) and China and their Enforcement in International Supply Chain Arbitrations” (ISBN: 978-981-33-6072-3).
He is listed as arbitrator in 10 international arbitration institutions, including the Shanghai International Arbitration Center (SHIAC), the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), the China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC), the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC), the Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC Reserve Panel), the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC), etc.

Yang Guang, Doctor of Laws, the Deputy Secretary General of the Shanghai International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (Shanghai International Arbitration Center). She has extensive work experience in the field of investment arbitration, commercial arbitration, mediation, as well as in the field of international trade law, investment law, e-commerce law, intellectual property law, and competition law.

Dr. iur. Dr. phil. Adolf PETER, LL.M., MA, CSE is Professor at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law (SHUPL), Consultant at the international law firm Fieldfisher (Vienna Office) and Co-Chair of the Legal & Compliance Committee of the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai focusing on international commercial arbitration, the enforcement of ESG standards in international supply chains and EU law.
A selection panel established by the European Commission found Dr. Peter suitable for appointment for the position of Arbitrator and Trade and Sustainable Development Expert in bilateral disputes under the EU’s trade agreements with third countries
In his capacity as Certified Supervisory Expert recognized by the Austrian Economic Chambers (WKO) he holds specialized one-day seminars for the WKO in Vienna directed at supervisory board members of companies.
Dr. Peter is the author of numerous arbitration- and ESG-related publications in international law journals and the book “CSR and Codes of Business Ethics in the USA, Austria (EU) and China and their Enforcement in International Supply Chain Arbitrations” (ISBN: 978-981-33-6072-3).
He is listed as arbitrator in 10 international arbitration institutions, including the Shanghai International Arbitration Center (SHIAC), the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), the China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC), the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC), the Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC Reserve Panel), the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC), etc.

Mr Cunyuan Zhang is Head (China) of Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), and Chief Representative of SIAC’s Shanghai Representative Office. He is responsible for overseeing SIAC’s activities in China. Since joining SIAC, Cunyuan has worked with key stakeholders of business and legal communities to promote the development of international arbitration and global best practices, by organising training workshops and networking events for in-house counsel, practitioners and arbitrators. He is a frequent speaker on arbitration topics, and conducts lectures and training sessions for arbitration users. He is a member of the SIAC delegation at UNCITRAL Working Group II (Dispute Resolution). He graduated from Renmin University of China and Peking University School of Transnational Law, with Bachelor’s degree, JD and JM Degrees. He is qualified as an attorney in China. Prior to joining SIAC, he worked in a leading Chinese law firm in Beijing, handling commercial arbitrations and related lawsuits.

Bridge Zhao, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, Smiths Group Plc Asia-Pacific. Bridge is qualified to practice law in China and the New York State of USA and has engaged in legal business at outstanding law firms and MNCs, including Llinks Law Firms, CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Tesco Group, as a lawyer or senior executive. He has great insight and experience in mergers & acquisitions, ethics & compliance, corporate governance and business architecture. He now also serves as the vice chairman of the Shanghai Corporate Counsel Association, a part-time professor of East China University of Political Science and Law and the co-chairman of the Legal & Compliance Committee of Shanghai British Chamber.

Zijin Yu is Deputy Counsel at HKIAC’s arbitration team. She administers cases in English and Chinese and has acted as Tribunal Secretary in administered and ad hoc arbitration seated in Hong Kong.

Alice Meissner is a dual qualified attorney-at-law with admission in Austria and Germany. She is partner at the law firm Fieldfisher based in Vienna, heading the Austrian Dispute Resolution team. She has a well-established track record in acting as counsel in a number of international arbitration proceedings under the arbitration rules of ICC, VIAC and CIETAC. She also acts as counsel in investor-state arbitration proceedings. She further acts as independent arbitrator and is, among others, Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators (HKIArb).

Alice further advises on complex corporate issues and obtained a phD from the University of Vienna in Austrian corporate law. She advises regularly on cross-border M&A projects involving Chinese investors as well as post-merger disputes. She has been listed by the Chambers and Legal500 as key contact for China-related disputes. Alice Meissner has been appointed as Chair of the European Chinese Arbitrators Association.