Since 2010, China has been SwitzerlandÕs most important trading partner in Asia and the third-largest globally. The growing number of subsidiaries set up in China is often accompanied by lack of understanding of ChinaÕs social and economic background from headquarters in Switzerland. The Swiss Centers China and the St. Gallen Institute of Management in Asia (SGI-HSG) will join forces to offer the second edition of the seminar ÒSubsidiary in China Ð Key to Success for the HeadquarterÓ in Switzerland this summer. The first edition last year achieved a great success, offering a comprehensive view and practical approach on foreign investment in China to Swiss business leaders who manage a subsidiary in China or have plans to set up one. This year the seminar will maintain its high quality, aiming to inform participants on the investment environment on the basis of practical experience. It will also include a practical workshop session to provide answers to the concrete case studies the participants present.

PwC unveils key metrics highlighting the rapid rise of eSports Ð competitive video gaming events – in China.Ê Already the third largest market globally, PwC data shows that over the next four years, eSports in China is on course to extend by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.4%, rising from USD 56 million in 2016, and is estimated to be worth USD 182 million by 2021. Figures from PwC chart the dynamic expansion of eSports in China, now the second largest market in Asia. Currently, only the Republic of Korea generates more value in the region, which itself is expected to reach USD 195 million by 2021, albeit with a lower CAGR of 13.9% over the next four years.Ê The U.S. is still the largest national market by value, anticipated to be worth USD 299 million by 2021, aided by a buoyant 22.6% GAGR.ÒThe evolution of eSports is incredibly exciting and itÕs unfolding at a staggering scale here in China. As a recent example, last week, the World Championship finals for League of Legends (LoL) – among the most popular video games in China – filled the national stadium in Beijing. And yet ticket sales are just the tip of the iceberg, with millions more watching the finals at home via live streaming, indicating the vast size and range of opportunities that await in this dynamic area.Ó Said Frank Cai, PwC China Assurance partner.According to the PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2017 – 2021 (E&M Outlook), the upward trend of eSports in China correlates with the nationÕs booming video game market, which generated revenues of USD 15.4 billion in 2016, and is on track to rival the US Ð currently the largest market – by 2021, by which time a value of USD 26.2bn is predicted to have been reached.

China legal Report is a monthly collection of Chinese law related news gathered from various media and news services, edited by Wenfei Attorney-at-law LTD. This time, you will read three useful news concerning ÒChina 4th Judicial Interpretation on PRC Company LawÓ, ÒAnnouncement of the State Administration of Taxation on the Record-filing of Tax Exemption of Cross-border Taxable Activities and Other Value-added Tax IssuesÓ and ÒAction Plan for Better Protecting Foreign-invested EnterprisesÕ IPRs in ChinaÓ.

PwC released its latest China Banking Newsletter – Review and Outlook of ChinaÕs Banking Industry in the First Half of 2017.Ê The report indicates that Chinese listed banks are entering a period of stability. Further, it shows that net profit of Chinese listed banks maintained growth in the first half of this year, albeit at a slightly slower pace than the same period last year. Additionally, both the non-performing loan ratio and overdue loan ratio declined. PwCÕs Banking Newsletter covers the financial results of the first half of the year for 39 A-share and/or H-share listed banks, published by the end of June, 2017. The report follows China Banking Regulatory CommissionÕs categories which include six Large Commercial Banks, nine Joint-Stock Commercial Banks, 16 City Commercial Banks and eight Rural Commercial Banks. According to the report, Chinese listed banks chalked up a net profit of RMB 849.72 billion in the first half of 2017, marking a year-on-year increase of 4.50%. The pace of growth slowed down slightly compared with the same period in 2016. Both the overall return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) declined. Except for Large Commercial Banks, the overall ROA of other listed banks has reduced significantly to below 1%. According to the report, by the end of June 2017, the value of outstanding non-performing loans had reached RMB 1.3 trillion, up 4.24% from the end of 2016. The non-performing loan ratio was 1.60%, down 0.05% from the end of 2016. Also, the NPL and the special-mention loan ratios of listed banks in all categories dropped from the end of 2016. The upward trend could be indicative of credit risk yet to be fully exposed and consequently, should be observed closely.

This is the 10th EY annual report on ChinaÕs listed banks. The purpose of this annual report is to provide an outlook on the direction of the future development of ChinaÕs banking industry based on observations of the businesses, operating models and regulatory environment of the 37 listed banks in mainland China. Ò2017 is an important year for the implementation of the Ô13th Five-Year PlanÕ and a year for the continued deepening of supply-side structural reform. ChinaÕs banking industry is still undergoing critical transformation where both opportunities and challenges coexist. To cope with the complex and ever-changing environment, listed banks will continue to explore the path for transformation and development, and FinTech will inject new impetus into the shaping of future banking. In addition, banks should strengthen risk prevention and control during transformation to achieve long-term sustainable developmentÓ, said Jack Chan, Managing Partner of EY Financial Services in Greater China.

China legal Report is a monthly collection of Chinese law related news gathered from various media and news services, edited by Wenfei Attorney-at-law LTD. This time, you will read three useful news concerning Òestablishment of seven new free trades in ChinaÓ, Òthe amendment of enterprise income tax lawÓ and Òsecurity program of foods and drugs in the 13th Five Year PlanÓ.

The China Association of International Engineering Consultants (CAIEC), an association operated by MOFCOM, has appointed the Managing Director of Wenfei Attorneys-at-Law Ltd, Dr. Paul Thaler, as an expert to its Òconsultation and examination system for projects abroadÓ. Being officially elected by CAIEC, Dr. Paul Thaler will assist the MOFCOM in overseas investments of the PeopleÕs Republic of China.

DKSH Business Unit Healthcare, Asia’s leading Market Expansion Services provider for healthcare companies seeking to grow their business in Asia, has been appointed by Johnson & Johnson, a leading multinational healthcare company, to grow its consumer health business in Hong Kong. Under the agreement, a dedicated DKSH team will provide marketing, sales, distribution and logistics activities in both theÊretail and in professional healthcare outlets such as hospitals, clinics, doctors or pharmacies all over Hong Kong.The new partnership with Johnson &ÊJohnsonÊfollows an earlier announcement where DKSH has been appointed by the consumer goods multinational Procter & Gamble to sell and distribute their brands in Hong Kong. The agreement is as well another proof that in more complex market conditions, clients tend to increasingly outsource parts of the value chain to market expansions services providers like DKSH.

The China Legal Briefing 254 was released. In this briefing, you can read: Shanghai issued a new unified work permit for foreigners; China introduced measures to help prevent risks in internet finance and China amended its Foreign Investment approval regime

The Competence Center China (CCC) for Swiss SME is an initiative of ZHAW School of Business and Law, Swiss SME China (the China Representation of the Swiss SME Association) and sim (selective international management) Group. It is the first and only topic- and case-based center that exists to date in the Sino-Swiss business environment. By focusing on present and future business issues that particularly Swiss SMEs are facing during their business undertakings in China, the CCC provides you with concrete, pragmatic, experience-based information & services to assist your business in China. Through the collaboration of academia and on-site consultancy with many years of experience in the Chinese market, our center is perfectly positioned to gather and provide you with up-to-date business insights and valuable problem solutions.