Fangda represented KIRIN HOLDINGS COMPANY, LIMITED (“Kirin”) in the sale of its entire 40% stake in its joint venture with China Resources for approximately US$1 billion. The share purchase agreement was signed and the deal was announced on February 16, 2022. The deal is significant as being one of the most important transactions in the FMCG and food and beverage sectors in recent years. It is also a typical case of foreign capital exiting from previously PRC state- and privately owned joint ventures.

Kirin is a Japanese beverage industry giant and a listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The Fangda team was led by partner Haiping Sun, and the team members included counsels Chen Lu and Xiaote Jin and associates Echo Qin, Elisa Liu, Bingyan Xu, and Jinjin Lu. Fangda acted as Kirin’s legal counsel in the transaction, being fully capable of communicating in Chinese, Japanese and English. Fangda led the drafting and negotiation of all transaction documents, design and analysis of deal structure and provided professional advice on intellectual property licensing and other aspects related to the transaction.

Fangda’s Japanese practice team focuses on handling various legal issues involved in investment and trade between Chinese and Japanese companies. We have abundant experience in China-Japan legal services, including Chinese companies’ investment activities or disputes in Japan and advising from a PRC legal perspective on Japanese companies’ local or Chinese-related transactions. With comprehensive coverage of practice areas, exceptional legal skills, as well as collaboration with Japanese lawyers, we can provide comprehensive one-stop legal services in Chinese, Japanese and English to clients.