To Readers & Friends

Recognizing the complexities and uncertainty created by the ongoing legal developments, I wrote the original China Law Deskbook in the mid-1990s, and it was published in 1999, as a tool for practitioners involved with trade and investment in China. Today, much has happened in China since the original Deskbook was published, and keeping up with all of the changes to the laws has been a challenge. My objective in writing the second and third editions, as with the original edition, is to create a single-volume treatise that, in simple language and backed by supporting research materials, highlights the key laws and regulations that may be of interest to foreign investors, corporate lawyers, and private practitioners involved or interested in China on behalf of their clients. The goal of the Deskbook is to be one tool in the China law toolbox of resources that can ease the research needs of practitioners. The Deskbook is supplemented by this website, where I intend to provide updates, forms and templates, research guides, and so forth.

China is going through remarkable times, and the ongoing judicial and legislative reforms are something that China has much to be proud about. It has developed, and continues to develop, a legal system from scratch in just over thirty years. But the ongoing developments make China a business environment that is perceived by many to be complex, uncertain, and, in short, a work in progress. Having lived and worked in China since 1998, I have had the unique and rewarding opportunity of witnessing the extraordinary development of China's legal and economic systems, and have come to appreciate the trends. I am grateful to members of the Chinese legal community who have offered encouragement with respect to the Deskbook, as well as those who have played vital roles in law exchanges between the foreign lawyers in China and the Chinese bar. These legal exchanges have done much to improve and enhance the relationship and understanding between Chinese and American lawyers, and they will continue to help us improve upon our respective legal systems. Having said this, my recommendation to both members of the Chinese and foreign legal communities is to continue to encourage an exchange of ideas and practices, and with the objective to continue to build stronger ties, greater understanding, and an appreciation for one another.

If you have questions or comments regarding the Deskbook, please feel free to contact me.

James Zimmerman
Beijing, China
June 1, 2010