Following an overhaul in 2005, the Company Law of the PRC had two rounds of relatively minor amendments in 2013 and 2018 respectively (the version currently in effect as last amended in 2018 is hereinafter referred to as the "2018 Company Law"). This round of amendments in 2023 is another overhaul, as over 200 articles have been added and amended in the 2023 Company Law, including substantial amendments to over 100 articles. The amendments cover a wide range of topics, including capital contribution and reduction, equity/share transfer and repurchase, corporate governance matters (such as organizational structure and responsibilities and duties of controlling shareholders, actual controllers, directors, supervisors and senior management, etc.), shareholder rights protection, company establishment and dissolution/liquidation, etc.
The 2023 Company Law not only governs new companies established after its effective date, but also has significant implications on companies existing as of its effective date. Yet, the implementation of quite many articles is still subject to further interpretation and/or guidance of the Chinese authorities and courts. Therefore, companies, investors and other stakeholders should pay close attention to this new legislation and the pertinent regulations, judicial interpretations and other official guidelines that may be issued for its implementation in the near future.
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This client alert has been prepared for clients and professional associates of Baker & McKenzie FenXun (FTZ) Joint Operation Office. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this client alert is not an exhaustive treatment of the area of law discussed and no responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of material in this presentation is accepted by Baker & McKenzie FenXun (FTZ) Joint Operation Office.
