Good news from Zhiheng | Global layout to expand to a new continent! Zhiheng Law Firm Africa Office held an inauguration ceremony

On May 4, 2025, Gu Xiaoching, Executive Director of Zhiheng International Center, joined forces with Lin Kaiyun, a renowned local attorney in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, to officiate the unveiling ceremony for the African Office of

(hereinafter referred to as “Zhiheng Africa”).

On the left is Attorney Lin Kaiyun, and on the right is Director Gu Xiaoping.

During the meeting, Director Gu systematically outlined Zhiheng’s strategic advantages in expanding “from Shenzhen to the entire nation and from Hong Kong to the global market,” and reviewed the firm’s globalization journey. She pointed out that Zhiheng has established a multi-regional service network spanning Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, the European Union, and the United States. By onboarding 36 Hong Kong‑registered foreign lawyers (RFLs) from diverse jurisdictions, the firm continues to attract global legal talent and integrate cross‑border legal and business resources, with the aim of building a world‑class legal services platform.

Director Gu specifically mentioned that in March of this year, Attorney Lin Kaiyun, with the assistance of

, completed the oath required for registration as a Registered Foreign Lawyer (REL) in Hong Kong. The RFL registration process currently underway is a vivid demonstration of Zhiheng’s strategy of “empowering regional experts through professional qualifications.”

The establishment of the Africa Office marks a pivotal step in Zhiheng’s efforts to build an efficient, global legal services platform, while also providing a specialized platform for deepening China–Africa economic and trade cooperation.

Lin Kaiyun, an attorney and a member of the South African Intellectual Property Law Society, as well as a senior legal expert in the field of intellectual property in South Africa, draws on many years of practical experience to provide an in-depth analysis of the legal market characteristics of countries including South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, with a particular focus on their intellectual property protection mechanisms, investment policies, and the potential advantages of their business environments.

Mr. Paklo Leung, a Chartered Accountant registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of South Africa (CA(SA)) and a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the United Kingdom, has conducted an in-depth analysis of the South African local market and tax and accounting services. He provided a detailed analysis and offered professional recommendations, focusing on issues such as ensuring compliance in African operations, enhancing financial management capabilities, and effectively navigating the complex local economic environment for Chinese enterprises.

Subsequently, both parties engaged in an in-depth exchange on the business development strategy for Zhiheng’s African operations, with a particular focus on exploring collaboration opportunities in areas such as compliance management for Chinese enterprises in South Africa and neighboring countries, legal support for cross-border investments, and accounting services, thereby laying a solid foundation for Zhiheng’s expansion into the African market.

This meeting marks a significant step forward in Zhiheng’s globalization strategy on the African continent. Looking ahead, Zhiheng Africa will deeply integrate into the African legal market, continuously refine its service network, and expand its areas of practice, thereby providing comprehensive, high-quality legal services to support the sustained deepening of China–Africa economic and trade cooperation and helping both sides advance steadily along a path of mutual benefit and win‑win outcomes.

Introduction to Zhiheng Africa

ZHIHENG

Zhiheng’s Africa office, in collaboration with South African law firm Lam Attorneys Inc. and Xinyao Accounting Consulting Co., is committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective legal and tax services to clients in China and around the world. Our office is located in Pretoria, South Africa, and we have established a robust network of partnerships across multiple African countries, enabling us to provide clients with strategic support in a wide range of areas, including cross-border intellectual property, compliance, taxation, and commercial dispute resolution.

We adhere to the principle of combining a global perspective with local insights, building a bridge that connects the business environments of Asia and Africa. Leveraging our bilingual Chinese–English team and our deep understanding of African legal systems, we are able to help clients effectively navigate a wide range of challenges in South Africa and across the broader African market. Whether it’s a first-time investment or an expansion into new business areas, our clients can confidently take control of the big picture and move forward with confidence.

Scope of business

ZHIHENG

Intellectual property protection: Providing agency services for the registration and enforcement of trademarks, patents, and copyrights in South Africa and other African countries. We provide comprehensive protection for your brand assets, including conducting trademark availability searches, filing applications, handling oppositions, and taking enforcement actions against counterfeit and infringing products.

Company Registration and Company LawAssist in establishing companies in South Africa and other African countries, and handle company registration and name searches. We provide legal advice on corporate governance, compliance reporting, and commercial transactions, and draft corporate charter documents to ensure that your business is successfully established and operated in accordance with local laws.

Due diligence and complianceProviding comprehensive legal due diligence for Chinese enterprises’ M&A and investment projects in Africa, identifying potential legal risks and liabilities. We guide our clients in complying with South Africa’s various local regulatory requirements, such as foreign exchange controls, licensing approvals, and industry-specific regulations, to ensure that their business activities are fully compliant.

Audit attestation:Implement, review, and provide consultation on bilingual (Chinese–English) audit attestation projects. We adhere to rigorous and standardized audit procedures, covering financial statement audits, internal control audits, compliance attestation, and other attestation services, ensuring that our audit conclusions are accurate and compliant with applicable standards, thereby effectively safeguarding our clients’ interests and regulatory compliance needs.

Tax Law and Tax Disputes:Providing advice on South African tax law and international tax matters, helping clients structure their investment arrangements in a tax-efficient manner. In tax disputes, we represent clients in negotiations with tax authorities and in legal proceedings, leveraging our local expertise to secure favorable outcomes.

Litigation and Mediation:Acting on behalf of clients in civil and commercial litigation before courts at all levels in South Africa, as well as providing dispute resolution services such as arbitration and mediation. In cases involving contract disputes, debt recovery, shareholder conflicts, and the like, we strive to safeguard our clients’ rights and, where feasible, seek efficient and amicable resolutions.

Contracts and Commercial Agreements:Draft, review, and negotiate bilingual (Chinese-English) contracts. We draft clear and rigorous contract documents, including joint venture agreements, business transfer agreements, supply contracts, lease agreements, and other commercial documents, to ensure that the contracts comply with legal requirements and align with our clients’ interests.

Labor lawProviding guidance on local labor laws and regulations to Chinese-funded enterprises operating in South Africa. We assist in drafting and reviewing employment contracts and employee handbooks, handle labor disputes (such as unfair dismissal cases), and ensure that clients comply with labor-related requirements, including those pertaining to equal employment opportunities and immigration law.

Property transfer (real estate title transfer)Providing legal assistance for commercial or residential property transactions. We draft and review real estate purchase and sale agreements, conduct title searches, and handle the transfer of property ownership—up to and including completion of registration—to ensure that the transaction complies with all applicable regulatory and local legal requirements.

Will and EstateProvides estate planning and administration services for assets located within South Africa. We draft wills for our clients, including bilingual Chinese–English wills, and provide legal advice on inheritance matters, estate tax implications, and estate administration, ensuring that your asset succession arrangements are sound and comprehensive.

Notary servicesOur qualified notaries provide a wide range of international notarial services, including the authentication of documents for use abroad, witnessing signatures, and verifying the identity of signatories. We can certify corporate and personal documents in accordance with international requirements, thereby lending legal validity to your cross-border legal documents.

Attorney Lin Kaiyun’s Profile

Introduction to Mr. Paklo Leung

Mr. Paklo Leung holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Financial Accounting from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He is a Chartered Accountant registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of South Africa (CA(SA)) and a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the United Kingdom. He has over 20 years of experience in the audit and compliance field, including approximately 18 years at the Auditor-General’s Office of South Africa (AGSA), where he led audits of multiple government departments and public entities.

Its professional scope encompasses audit and attestation, compliance reviews, due diligence, and bid evaluation. The firm has participated in specialized projects such as United Nations special audits and procurement tender evaluations, and boasts extensive industry experience.

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