Z. Alex Zhang

Partner, Shanghai, Beijing

Biography

“Alex Zhang brings extensive transactional experience to bear on M&A transactions involving jurisdictions across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the US. His recent work includes acting on sales and acquisitions on behalf of clients operating in the education, manufacturing, metals and consumer goods industries.” (2021)

“Superb experience in both China and US practice, in-depth knowledge to cope with complex legal challenges when cross-border transactions are involved.” and “strong responsiveness to clients’ demands and needs.” (2022)
Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Global

Overview

Z. Alex Zhang is a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions practice, based in China.

Alex serves as the head of the firm's China corporate and M&A practice. Having spent over 30 years advising US, European and Asian clients on all types of cross-border corporate transactions in China, as well as Chinese private and state-owned companies in their investments, acquisitions and other business activities outside China. Alex is recognized as a leading lawyer for China-related corporate and M&A transactions, and has been named as the leading practitioner in these areas of work by mainstream directories, including Chambers, Legal 500, Asia Legal Businss and PLC Which Lawyer. Alex has also been named a member of Hall of Fame for Corproate and M&A in China by Asia Pacific Legal 500 since 2021, and was recognized as one of the "Dealmakers of Asia 2022" by ALB and shortlisted as the "2022 Dealmaker of the Year – International" by ALB China.

Bars and Courts
District of Columbia Bar
Minnesota State Bar
Education
JD
University of Minnesota
LLM
China University of Political Science and Law
Beijing
BA
The Institute of International Relations
Beijing
Languages
English
Mandarin

Experience

CVC Capital Partners
CVC Capital Partners on its acquisition with co-investor Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ, the second largest pension fund in Canada), of a majority stake in the international agencies of BlueFocus Intelligent Communications Group Co., Ltd., a leading publicly traded Chinese marketing services conglomerate. This transaction won Mid-Market Deal of the Year: Excellence Award by Canadian Law Awards 2022.

Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric, a global player in energy management and automation, in connection with its minority investment in Star Charge, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging pole manufacturer and operator in China.

Magna International Inc.
Magna International Inc., a leading automotive manufacturer and supplier, on its acquisition of a majority stake in HLZX Group, a leading automotive seats supplier in China.

Magna Steyr
Magna Steyr, a global automotive supplier and the world's leading brand-independent vehicle contract manufacturer, in its joint venture with Beijing Electric Vehicle Co. Ltd (BJEV), a subsidiary of the BAIC Group, for developing and manufacturing of electric cars in China.

Bright Scholar 
Bright Scholar, the largest operator of international and bilingual K-12 schools in China in its GBP150 million acquisition of the entire equity interest in CATS Colleges Holdings Limited, an international school network with a platform of campuses located across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and China.

HT-SAAE
HT-SAAE in its acquisition of 51% stake in Erae Automotive System ("erae AMS") from erae CS Ltd and erae NS Ltd., with the option to further increase its shares in erae AMS to 70%.

Grupo Bimbo
Grupo Bimbo, the largest baking Company in the world and producer and distributor of baked goods in 22 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, in the acquisition of the Mankattan Group, a key player in the baking industry in China. 

Haier Group
Haier Group, the Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer, in the US$5.4 billion acquisition of GE Appliances unit from GE through an auction process. This is one of the largest acquisitions of a US company by a Chinese entity todate. We also advised on the US$3.3 billion financing from China Development Bank for the acquisition, and provided key regulatory advice in multiple jurisdictions including anti-trust and CFIUS in the US. This transaction is named "Cross-Border Deal of the Year" and "M&A Deal of the Year" by M&A Advisor Awards in 2016, and "M&A Deal of the Year" by ALB China Law Awards 2017.

Huhtamaki Oyj
Huhtamaki Oyj, a global specialist in packaging for food and drink with a network of 77 manufacturing units and 24 sales offices in altogether 34 countries, in its acquisition of American pulp and paper company, International Paper's paper cup business in China.

Wanxiang Resources
Wanxiang Resources Co., Ltd., a leading commodities trading house in China with a focus on natural resources, in establishing a joint venture in China with Hartree Partners. 

Johnson Matthey 
Johnson Matthey, a UK based multinational specialty chemicals and sustainable technologies company, in the acquisition of minority shares in Shanghai Bi Ke Clean Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical Co.
Shenzhen Hepalink Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and its US subsidiary, Hepalink USA Inc., in its US$337.5 million acquisition of 100 percent of the equity interest of Scientific Protein Laboratories, LLC, one of the leading global, independent manufacturers and suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

TecDAX and NASDAQ listed Aixtron SE
TecDAX and NASDAQ listed Aixtron SE in the intended takeover by the Chinese financial investor Fujian Grand Chip Investment. Germany-headquartered Aixtron is a leading provider of deposition equipment for the semiconductor industry.

Speaking Engagements

"M&A Developments in China", 22 February 2012: IFLR Asia M&A Forum, Hong Kong, (speaker)

Publications

M&A Set to Rise, If China Can Manage Policy Challenges, in Bloomberg Big Law Business, June 16, 2017

New Routes and Strategies as International Joint Ventures Continue to Flourish, Business Law Magazine, Issue 1, 2014, (co-author with Tobias Heinrich and Markus Hauptmann)

Awards and Recognition

2022 Dealmakers of Asia 
Asia Legal Business (ALB), 2022

"Hall of Fame: Corporate and M&A: Foreign Firms (China)"
Asia Pacific Legal 500, since 2021 

"Leading Individual: China – Private Equity (Foreign Firms)"
Asia Pacific Legal 500 2022, 2023

“Dealmaker of the Year – International”
ALB China Law Awards 2022 (shortlisted)

"Ranked individual: Corporate/M&A: China-based (International Firms)"
Chambers Greater China / Asia-Pacific / Global, since 2014