Biography
Bao Zhi is the Joint-operation-representative of FenXun and Baker McKenzie Joint Operation in China and the partner of FenXun. Mr. Bao’s practice focuses on commercial compliance as well as general corporate matters, all disciplines which he made his own during his over seven years with the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) in Beijing and subsequently at a leading PRC law firm.
At MOFCOM, he spearheaded examination of numerous foreign direct investments, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and anti-monopoly filings for companies engaged in M&A transactions. He also was a principal draftsman of key regulations relating to restructuring of domestic and offshore companies, and cross-border M&A transactions (for both unlisted and listed Chinese target companies, as well as both inbound and outbound transactions) and funds.
As a partner of FenXun Partners, Mr. Bao has pioneered (and obtained approvals for) unique, tested transformations of offshore ownership transaction structures into onshore ownership structures for important clients. Mr. Bao has advised many multinational companies on regulatory aspects, including but not limited to anti-trust filing and national security review of their cross-border M&A transactions, as well as counselling them on the regulatory risks of their business behavior.
Representative Legal Matters
- Advised Platinum Equity, LLC on the China merger control clearance aspects of its USD 4 billion acquisition of Emerson's Network Power Business, and its SGD 150 million acquisition of the Foam Plastics Solutions and the Flow Control Devices businesses from Broadway Industrial Group Limited.
- Advised HonHai (Foxconn) on the China merger control aspects of its USD 3.8 billion acquisition of Sharp.
- Advised Lonza Group AG on its proposed acquisition of Capsugel S.A.
- Advised Murata on the Chinese merger control filing for its acquisition of Sony's battery business.
- Advised FedEx on the Chinese merger clearance aspects of its USD 4.8 billion acquisition of TNT.
- Advised a world-famous elevator manufacturer on the Chinese merger control issue in relation to its potential acquisition.
- Advised on the China merger control clearance aspects in relation to Platinum’s USD 4 billion acquisition of Emerson's Network Power Business.
- Advised on the China merger control clearance aspects in relation to Platinum’s acquisition of the Foam Plastics Solutions and the Flow Control Devices businesses from Broadway Industrial Group Limited.
- Advised a German manufacturing company on its purchase of a portion of the manufacturing business of a US company with most of its assets in the US, as well as operations/subsidiaries in China and other countries.
Professional Honors
- Leading Lawyer Competition/Antitrust (PRC Firms) - Chambers Greater China, 2025
- Leading Lawyer (Competition, China) - IFLR1000, 2017 & 2024
- Winner of 2025 Antitrust Writing Awards: Business Article (Asia & Oceania) - Concurrences, 2025
- Recognized Practitioner (Competition/Antitrust PRC firms) - Chambers Asia Pacific, 2019-2020
- Band 3 Lawyer (Investment Fund, Foreign Legal Consultants (PRC Firms), China) - Chambers Asia Pacific, 2015
- Band 2 Lawyer, Investment Funds (Domestic firms) - LEGALBAND, 2017
Admission
PRC (1999)
Education
University of California, Berkeley (LL.M.)
East China University of Politics and Law (LL.M.)
Anhui University (LL.B.)
Languages
English
Mandarin