Hongqiao strengthens legal support for companies going global

Chinese companies expanding overseas have turned to Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Legal-Services District for help with patent lawsuits, court injunctions, and trademark disputes in overseas markets.

The Hongqiao International Central Legal-Services District is located in Minhang district in Shanghai. (Photo: China Daily)

The district released a collection of 28 cases on Nov 9 at a conference on supporting companies going global, held as a side event of the ninth China International Import Expo.

The cases span six areas of cross-border legal services: investment, international trade, dispute resolution, intellectual property, finance and capital markets, and criminal compliance.

At the conference, Sun Wenjie, deputy head of Minhang district, where the legal-services zone is located, said the CIIE serves as a two-way platform for China's opening-up, attracting overseas investment while helping Chinese companies expand into international markets. He called for stronger international legal services, more high-quality legal resources and talent, and closer integration of legal services with key industries.

The district also launched the Hongqiao Cross-Border Legal Talent Development Center, which will bring together resources from university law schools, industry associations, and professional service providers to train legal professionals and match them to companies' cross-border business needs.

Since its launch in 2021, the district has grown from 22 to 192 resident institutions. These include 27 law firms handling cross-border cases, with 112 lawyers; one notary office with 18 notaries; and one commercial mediation organization with nine mediators. Their work spans legal matters involving countries and regions across nearly the entire world. At the 2026 CIIE, seven lawyers provided on-site consultations.

The district offers guidance on accessing international legal services, professional consultations on cross-border legal issues, and one-stop resolution of international commercial disputes. Its services support companies throughout their overseas expansion, from compliance assessments and intellectual property planning to investment, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution.