As Chinese companies accelerate their global expansion, Baker Mckenzie FenXun launches the Chinese version of the 2026 Field Guide to Going Global (5th Edition)
Against the backdrop of global supply chain realignment and an evolving international regulatory landscape, more Chinese companies are accelerating their expansion into overseas markets. From export trade and cross-border e-commerce to outbound investment and M&A, Chinese companies are participating in global markets at an unprecedented pace. At the same time, heightened export controls, geopolitical developments, increasingly stringent data compliance requirements and differences in regulatory regimes across jurisdictions have created a more complex environment for cross-border operations. In this context, Baker Mckenzie FenXun is pleased to launch the Chinese version of the 2026 Field Guide to Going Global (5th Edition).
Organised around the different stages of a company’s “going global” journey, the Guide provides a systematic overview of the most common and critical legal and business issues arising in the internationalisation process. Drawing on the practical experience of our global team in cross-border investment, international trade and corporate internationalisation projects, the Guide offers Chinese companies a practical reference point informed by international perspectives.
What is new in the 5th Edition
Since its first publication, the Field Guide to Going Global has continued to track changes in the global business and regulatory environment, with regular updates addressing new issues and challenges faced by companies as they expand internationally. The 5th Edition further enhances and expands the Guide. Reflecting current developments in the global business and regulatory landscape, this update focuses on the legal and compliance topics that are top of mind for Chinese companies pursuing overseas growth, including:
- customs and import compliance
- latest developments in export controls and sanctions
- cross-border data transfers and digital compliance
- emerging trends in international e-commerce
- global supply chain and market access considerations
- practical insights on cross-border investment and M&A
The Guide also continues to bring together Baker McKenzie’s extensive cross-border project experience and multi-jurisdictional perspectives, helping companies better navigate the evolving legal and regulatory challenges that arise in the course of international expansion.
Why this matters
As companies accelerate their globalisation efforts, going global is no longer merely a question of market expansion. It is a systematic undertaking involving legal, compliance, tax, operational and organisational considerations. The Chinese version of the 2026 Field Guide to Going Global (5th Edition) is designed to support companies in the following areas:
Supporting companies in planning their global growth strategy
From securing the first overseas order, to developing international customers and channels, and ultimately establishing overseas entities and local operations, the key issues companies face differ at each stage. The Guide is structured around the practical path of corporate internationalisation, helping companies understand the relevant legal and business considerations more comprehensively and providing a reference point for strategic planning and commercial decision-making.
Helping companies identify and manage outbound expansion risks
The challenges companies encounter in the course of internationalisation often arise not from the business itself, but from differences in legal, regulatory and commercial environments across jurisdictions. Drawing on typical business scenarios and practical cross-border project experience, the Guide provides a systematic overview of issues commonly faced by companies, helping them identify potential risks at an earlier stage and plan accordingly.
Assisting companies in responding to global regulatory change
Export controls, economic sanctions, cross-border data transfers, supply chain management and market access remain areas of continued focus. The updated content is closely aligned with the latest regulatory developments, helping companies understand changes in global rules and their potential impact on business growth, and enabling them to respond more confidently to uncertainty in the international operating environment.
Overview of our outbound investment capabilities for Chinese companies
Leveraging Baker Mckenzie FenXun’s international network of more than 70 offices across over 40 countries, together with its deep local experience in the China market for more than a decade, Baker Mckenzie FenXun — the first international law firm platform approved to operate as a joint operation in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, and recognised by Chambers as “Joint Operation Office of the Year” — continues to provide Chinese companies with one-stop cross-border legal services for their outbound expansion. We have a deep understanding of the commercial needs and regulatory challenges associated with the global growth of Chinese companies, and are able to provide end-to-end support across outbound investment, cross-border M&A, joint ventures and strategic collaborations, compliance and regulatory matters, and operational management, from strategic planning, due diligence and transaction execution through to post-closing integration. We assist companies in building a resilient international footprint in a complex and evolving global environment, supporting long-term and sustainable growth.
To request the full article of Field Guide, please contact:
Patty Li
Email
+86 10 5649 6045
*Baker McKenzie FenXun (FTZ) Joint Operation Office is a joint operation between Baker & McKenzie LLP, an Illinois limited liability partnership, and FenXun Partners, a Chinese law firm. The Joint Operation has been approved by the Shanghai Justice Bureau.