Industries Served

IPO PANG has extensive expertise in each of the following industries. More information about each individual industry may be found by using the links below.

• Aerospace

  Includes: Airplane, Airlines, Aircraft Parts, and related industries

  IPO PANG represents foreign enterprises engaged in the aerospace and aircraft parts business. Some of these clients are airport operators, shipping ports, airline operators, aircraft parts manufacturers, ground handling companies and those businesses engaged in ancillary businesses related to the aviation industry. China is purported to be the largest purchaser of airplanes and has a budding industry as the world’s supplier of aircraft parts. With this as backdrop, we see the opportunity for foreign businesses in the aviation industry to capture a significant share of this market and truly make inroads into one of the world’s largest marketplace. IPO PANG has an experienced team of lawyers, legal assistants, technicians and specialists who have a deep understanding of the Chinese market and the government authorities who manage and control this sector. Because of our experience, our aerospace and aircraft parts team can identify issues quickly and efficiently and be able to deliver advice in real time.

• Automotive

  Includes: manufacturing, distribution, and accessories

  The growth of China's automotive industry is unprecedented. It is now the world’s largest automobile market, surpassing the US. Foreign enterprise clients eyeing the market are scrambling to take part in this economic boom by introducing new technologies, new models and new business combinations that are impacting the automotive industry’s evolution. Not surprisingly, as part of this evolution, problems and issues do arise, from the need to protect intellectual property to the need to clearly understand and enforce territorial restraint on distribution. IPO PANG has attorneys who were former executives of automobile companies and a team of specialists who can help foreign enterprises overcome barriers to entry into this lucrative market. Our unique array of attorneys and experience has helped our foreign enterprise clients achieve success when all hope is lost, realize cost savings when the going gets tough, build key customer relationships when tempers flare, and navigate through the landmines of a constantly shifting legal landscape.

  Our automotive team at IPO PANG collaborates seamlessly and fluently with our network of attorneys in China, criss-crossing different fields of practice, drawing on our veteran lawyers who have experience dealing with the complex relationships that characterize the industry's supply chain, technology, and government relations to achieve the foreign enterprise client's legal and business objectives in a cost effective manner.

• Biotechnology

  Includes: biotechnology, and research & development

  Many foreign enterprises have turned to China to establish R&D centers in the biotechnology field because the Chinese government often encourages this kind of "high value" business venture through tax incentives and outright grants. At IPO PANG, we have attorneys and specialists who have either worked for, or actively represented biotech and R&D companies in the US and Canada before joining our firm. Their unique "in-house" perspective of what it takes to enter this field, what the opportunities are and where the legal risks lie make us unique among boutique firms that service this industry. Many of our attorneys and specialists have scientific degrees from renowned universities and have been working with China's Science and Technology departments and ministries since the early 1990's. Our deep relationships with State Food and Drug Administration ("SFDA") insiders have been immensely helpful on many occasions to our foreign enterprise clients when approval of food, drug or cosmetic products is needed on a fast track basis. With a growing demand for high tech foreign products in China, coupled with a constant drive for cost reductions abroad, many have found that manufacturing or sourcing their biotech products, APIs, or devices in China is a cost-effective alternative for them.

• Chemical

  Includes: Chemical, Industrial and Residential

  The Chemical industry in China has experienced exponential growth over the last 10 years, with more and more companies opening up their plants in China because of cheap labor and the availability of local resources. However, concerns for employee safety and the environment have created drastic changes in the industry in recent years. As a result, stringent new laws have been promulgated to limit the discharges allowable, and the locations where chemical products can be manufactured, stored, or used have come under heavy scrutiny and constraint. At IPO PANG, we have experience dealing with these complex issues by making them simpler and easier to digest. Occasionally even though a proposed action or conduct is simple and logical, the Chinese government manages to interpret it in an inordinately complex way, and this may require us to find a sophisticated but elegant solution to the problem. IPO PANG offers creativity and innovative problem solving to this otherwise highly traditional business that is emerging as one of the most lucrative business sectors for foreign enterprises in China.

• Consumer Products

  Includes: retail

  With 1.3 billion eager Chinese consumers, this is the market that every foreign enterprise client salivates for. The growing middle class is consuming more, buying more and upgrading the quality of their purchases. However, Chinese consumers are finicky, have very strong price sensitivities and deeply rooted local buying habits which few foreign enterprises have been able to successfully address. Leading companies such as P&G and Nestle studied Chinese consumers for many years before coming up with success formulae which uniquely cater their products and services to Chinese consumers. Their concerted efforts to localize their products and promotions yielded them great successes in China. At IPO PANG, we have attorneys and specialists trained at consumer product companies in China and abroad, and a number of them have spent years studying and analyzing Chinese consumers and the laws and regulations that govern this sector of the market. It is this type of unique background and array or resources that foreign enterprise clients can draw upon when they engage IPO PANG to help them draft a distribution agreement, obtain approval of a product, or provide feedback on marketing campaigns that are not only effective but permissible under the confines of consumer marketing laws. The growth of the Chinese consumer products industry has been nothing less than phenomenal and it is forecasted to double within the next 5 years. IPO PANG plans to grow along with the industry, and provide our unique blend of practical on-the-ground advice with our deep understanding of the laws and regulations that govern this industry.

• Energy

  Includes: Green Initiatives, solar, water, nuclear, and wind

  Energy consumption in China is at an all–time high. Rolling black-outs are not unusual, but rather, they are the norm, especially during hot summer months. Thus, as a net energy importer, China is anxious to develop new sources of energy and the government has promulgated new laws, rules, regulations and incentives to encourage research and development as well as joint ventures with foreign enterprises that possess technology and know-how. Likewise, foreign enterprises are eager to get into the Chinese market, either as a technology licensor, joint venture partner, or direct investor in energy production or green initiatives. At IPO PANG, we have deep, know-how and experience in working with coal, nuclear, fuel, wind, solar, water, geothermal and virtually every kind of power generation methodology and the legal and regulatory "legalscape" that governs this field. Foreign enterprise clients seeking to enter the Chinese market need advisors who can help them identify the challenges and opportunities, the risks and the benefits, and the legal / socially responsible approach to take. The risk of a major deal going awry in this field is too high to justify anything less than the engagement of experienced and seasoned attorneys and specialists who can render the best professional advice.

• Entertainment

  Includes: Television, radio and films, industry and associations

  There is a Hollywood, a Bollywood and speculation within China film industry insiders is that soon there will be a Chinllywood. The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has set its goals high: within 5 years, it targets China to be the top filming destination, to have the largest filming studios (by square meters) and to have the top filming gross box office receipts for Asia. With more and more films and television programs made in China, and a good portion of the world’s post production work already being done in China by Chinese workers, China’s film industry is experiencing phenomenal growth. Writers, directors, filmmakers, actors, producers, cinematographers, songwriters, recording artists, stage professionals, pre- and post-production companies, graphic design companies and many others have already set up or have considered setting up offices and production facilities in China. IPO PANG is experienced in representing all aspects of film production, including actors, directors, and producers. Our connections with the Ministry of Culture and SARFT have enabled us to facilitate otherwise contentious approvals for filming, location acquisition, and related film content issues. We pride ourselves in offering that personal touch and service to the entertainment industry because we realize that success in this difficult industry requires a very personal and hands-on approach to problem solving. Regardless of the size of the project, our IPO PANG team devotes 100% of its effort to safeguard the client’s interests, particularly with respect to securing a lasting protection of intellectual property. Our unparalleled skill is to close deals and find reasonable compromise in such a way that foreign enterprise clients achieve their objectives without creating resentful and bitter relationships with their Chinese counterparts.

• Gaming

  Includes: Gaming, Online entertainment, Lotteries, sports/welfare, MORPG, competitive tournaments – poker, mahjong, IPTV entertainment, games and infotainment

  China has the world's largest internet population with over 350 million broadband users and nearly 800 million mobile phone users. With the merging of internet and mobile, e-commerce and gaming have taken on new channels that have driven the stock prices of internet gaming and e-commerce companies to many times their PE ratio. With Macau amassing gambling revenues well exceeding those of Las Vegas for several years in a row, China and the Special Administration Region of Macau together represent the world's largest gaming market in the form of gambling, video gaming, lotteries and e-commerce. IPO PANG has one of the most sophisticated gaming, internet and e-commerce practices in Asia, with attorneys that are not only knowledgeable about gaming laws and regulations, but also having had the unique experience of serving as a senior executive with the world's largest online gaming company. Our practice consists of supporting some of the industry's most current developments, such as sales and acquisitions, regulatory clearances and lobbying, financing and government approvals, tenders and bids. In Mainland China where outright gambling is not yet permitted, our attorneys and specialists have unique insights on sports and welfare lotteries, as well as the specific regulations, knowledge, contacts and government liaisons with relevant agencies to help our clients understand the extent to which the authorities will allow games of chance and games of skill on Mainland soil. The gambling sector is Macau, while on the Mainland, lottery and video/internet gaming are booming. Opportunities abound, but competition is growing, which means there is no margin for error in providing solid but aggressive advice, particularly as the industry is so highly regulated. The IPO PANG team called on to support this area of practice is multidisciplinary, experienced with all aspects of gaming law and regulatory requirements, and knowledgeable of all facets of the foreign enterprise client's business and industry.

• Information Technology

  Includes: e-commerce, mobile e-commerce, advertising, search and outsourcing

  Although China is the world's largest internet user, it is far from being the Information Technology capital of the world. For Developing World IT needs, many foreign enterprises have traditionally turned to India and possibly Russia as sources. This will not remain the case for long. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has set a goal for China to become the world's IT outsourcing capital within 5 years, and with nearly a dozen publicly listed companies (many on NASDAQ) whose primary business is to service companies like Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Google and others, China is well on its way to achieving its goal. With such ambitious plans, regulations that govern this sector have not kept pace, resulting in numerous uncertainties, ambiguities and inconsistencies in the interpretation of the laws and regulations that govern this section. IPO PANG has been working in this sector hand-in-hand with industry leaders and our attorneys and specialists have a unique in-depth understanding of the problems, opportunities, and challenges faced by the industry. Our clients benefit from our practical knowledge of the issues, our access to MIIT insiders, and more importantly, the creative and timely fashion with which we dispense our practical and cost-effective professional advice. Our network of industry specialists are often just a phone call away should information on industry norms, government proclivities and market temperature are ever needed on short notice. Our attorneys expertly structure deals, help create and maintain strong customer and supplier relationships, and facilitate communication with government authorities whenever needed. We place a premium on lawyers who understand the legal and business aspects of this industry and in concert with our firm's governmental connections, we believe we provide an exceptional combination of skills that help the foreign enterprise client to successfully structure, negotiate and obtain approval for transactions in this field.

• Manufacturing Sector

  Includes: Industrial, Consumer, chemical, oil, consumer products, automotive, commodities, and energy

  China is the factory of the world and has been bestowed this honor year after year for the past 10 years. It doesn’t take long for someone to come to that same conclusion with a quick trip to the Guangdong province, or the area outside of Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu or Shenyang, where one sees literally thousands of factories employing tens of thousands of workers manufacturing everything from plastic parts to the integrated circuits that go into iphones and ipads. Indeed, it is almost mind boggling to see so many factories with so many moving parts, and there is no doubt that the manufacturing sector in China is still far from mature, with much more growth to be achieved in the years to come. Of course, this growth is not without its growing pains, from product quality disputes to employee safety concerns; from labor union squabbles to missed delivery deadlines. IPO PANG has worked with numerous foreign enterprise factories over the years, and our lawyers and legal assistants are adept at identifying problem areas, researching local and domestic practices, and advising the foreign enterprise client on risk areas that need immediate attention. The industry is expected to go through a phase of consolidation in the years to come as the strong will flourish and dominate, thereby creating certain risks for the foreign enterprise client who may have outsourced manufacturing to a local company. IPO PANG understands the dynamics of the manufacturing sector. Whether the foreign enterprise client is outsourcing to a local factory, merging or acquiring a local factory, or operates a wholly foreign owned factory that is being pressured or squeezed by unfair local tactics, IPO PANG can deliver a creative and favorable solution to the problem.

• Medical

  Includes: Pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical devices

  The pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device industry in China is emerging. Although the sophistication level of many Chinese companies in the sector is high, local demand – at least for some of their products – is developing at only a modest pace. However, what the Chinese market doesn't have in terms of ready-made markets, it makes up for in terms of inexpensive research and production. China exports far more pharmaceuticals than it uses domestically. The Chinese medical market is in fact something of a paradox — ultra-modern techniques and traditional medicines co-exist. All this being said, it is our sense that the market for pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and medical devices has explosive growth potential that foreign enterprise clients will want to capture. Standing in the way of market access is of course the need for licenses, permits and approvals from relevant authorities, such as the State Food and Drug Administration ("SFDA"). IPO PANG and its team of lawyers, legal assistants and specialists assist foreign enterprise clients with their applications for approval, clearances, and clinical testing. Our in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical devices industry, in concert with personal relationships with SFDA insiders enables our lawyers to assist our foreign enterprise clients with speedy real time advice. We understand the importance of anticipating Chinese government regulatory changes and the potential fallout arising from contractual misinterpretation in the context of corporate strategic planning and operations. Therefore, we pay particular attention to the foreign enterprise client's needs and objectives, and are often invited to be part of the team in the early planning stages of a venture or regulatory approval project. IPO PANG brings local and international experience to help our foreign enterprise clients meet their expectations for their Chinese dealings.

• Real Estate

  Includes: Real Estate, Construction, Financing

  To say that there is a real estate boom in China is an understatement. Prices of both residential and commercial buildings have more than tripled on average within the last 5 years. It is not clear if the real estate industry in China is going to continue unmolested by the woes of the rest of the world due to an abundance of demand or if it will suffer a major correction sometime in the near future. Either way, it is an interesting time for foreign enterprises to delve into the world's biggest "lottery", with many bargains to be had if one knows where to look. IPO PANG has been assisting foreign enterprise clients with their real estate needs since the early 1990's and has assisted clients who have gone from boom to bust and those that have gone from bust back to boom. Our advisory and transactional track record is superb and well-respected, and our integrated network of attorneys, legal assistants, technicians and specialists have unrivalled access to industry information and trends, as well as the Chinese government policy makers whose advice and counsel often dictates whether a transaction will be successful or not. As the industry is in flux, there are both business and legal risks in real estate or construction transactions. IPO PANG is adept at identifying those risks and the distinctive commercial drivers that affect them. Competition in the real estate business continues to reach new heights. With limited land available for development, the dynamics of how deals are structured, negotiated, financed and consummated get accelerated. With local knowledge and international perspective, IPO PANG can meet the foreign enterprise client's real estate needs without reservation or compromise.

• Retailing

  Includes: retailing, wholesale, Franchising and distributorships inside and outside of China

  With the opening up of the local retailing licenses to foreign enterprises in China, many foreign enterprise clients are sweeping in to try retailing and eventually, franchising or licensing first hand. This brings about its own unique set of issues, problems and opportunities. IPO PANG is experienced in assisting major international brands in opening up dedicated stores in China, wherever located, and then assisting the foreign enterprise client in opening up chain licensed stores, thereby exponentially expanding its reach nationwide at a much faster speed. Industry experts predict "branded chain stores", i.e., franchised or licensed stores will constitute the major thrust of the growth in retail for the next several years as consumer confidence is enhanced with multiple locations. IPO PANG offers advisory and transactional services to foreign enterprise clients who desire to enter the market quickly, require government support for a unique business scope, and demand a comprehensive intellectual property protection / enforcement program that will minimize their entry risks. Our understanding of the industry comes not from text books, but years of experience working with clients who have "paid their dues" and "learned from their mistakes". This exceptional perspective in invaluable in a field that is extremely competitive, where there is no margin for error or misjudgment, and where being able to deliver cost-effective services is paramount. IPO PANG lawyers and specialists assist foreign enterprise clients in this sector with zeal; we confront the challenges and never overlook the opportunities. We support our foreign enterprise clients with the most complex legal and business issues, and draw upon our government contacts to smooth the way for a successful completion of a client-initiated project.

• Telecommunications

  Includes: internet, VoIP, and CDMA

  With over 1 billion television viewers, 700 million mobile phone users, 500 million cable television viewers, 350 million broadband users, and over 100 domestic and satellite television channels, Chinese telecommunication isn’t taking a backseat to anyone or anything. It is big business in China. While still mostly controlled by the Chinese government, many foreign enterprise clients find that opportunities abound to be a supplier or customer in this sector. Whether the foreign enterprise client is a cable operator, equipment supplier, satellite provider, wired or wireless telephone operator, broadband and internet service provider, television broadcaster, or media content provider, IPO PANG has the depth and breadth to support their legal and business needs. We have people on the ground, knowledgeable about the industry and well-connected with both the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Such comprehensive background coupled with practical experience working in this field enables IPO PANG to provide in-depth, real time counselling of crucial issues. Our experience includes structuring acquisitions, financing, contract preparation unique to this industry, procurement of ISP licenses and related licenses from relevant government departments, and assisting the foreign enterprise client with strategic planning and government relations. We offer a one-stop professional services program for our foreign enterprise clients to facilitate their closing of deals in the telecommunications field. In doing so, we draw on our strength of years of experience dealing with complex transactions and leverage this experience, along with in-depth knowledge of the law and regulations that govern this industry, to help our foreign enterprise clients reach their ultimate legal and business objectives.

• Transportation

  Includes: high speed rails, light rail, and airport

  China already has the world’s largest network of high speed rails. It is the largest purchaser of airplanes and has the world's largest contiguous airport complex. These statistics demonstrate that China is poised for greatness and poised for continued growth. With it, billions of dollars' worth of contracts will be handed out to suppliers at every level of the supply chain. China's transportation boom hasn't escaped the notice of foreign enterprises. In fact, many foreign enterprises have called upon IPO PANG for advice and counsel on how to bid for lucrative contracts and how to complete the necessary documentation and approvals that make them a "player" in this market. We have been working in the transportation sector since 1992 when we represented a designer and manufacturer of power cables for light rails, commonly known as the third rail, for inclusion in a system in Dalian, China. Since those early days, the market for new technology and infrastructure projects has exploded, and IPO PANG has continuously developed its practice in order to assist foreign enterprise clients aiming to crack the Chinese market for their transportation products and services. We believe the market will continue to grow at exponential rates and regulators will continue to refine the "rules of the game". Foreign enterprises with technology, know-how and the determination to help build transportation hubs, infrastructure projects and related supporting industries should not miss out on this growth. IPO PANG is a leading provider of advisory services in this sector in China and we intend to remain a significant force in this industry for years to come.