On 31 July, YK Law (Sydney) hosted a signing ceremony and roundtable discussion at its Sydney office to mark the establishment of a strategic partnership with the Shenzhen Green Hotel Development Promotion Association (the “Association”). Attendees included Ling Zhou, Executive President of the Association and Founding President of the Shenzhen Hotel Association; Liqin Du, representative of the Shenzhen Women Entrepreneurs Chamber of Commerce and General Manager of Shenzhen Ralf Food Co., Ltd.; and Corey Cooney, Group Managing Director of Boston Global. Representing YK Law (Sydney) were Managing Partner Yin Chen, Operations Director Jiaqi Li, Senior Lawyer Jiachen Fan, Ying Fan and other members of the team. President Ling Zhou and Managing Partner Yin Chen signed the strategic cooperation framework agreement on behalf of the two organisations. Under the agreement, the parties will establish liaison points in both Sydney and Shenzhen, with an unveiling ceremony to be held at a later date.
The Association is an important industry partner of YK Law (Sydney) in China’s hotel sector. President Ling Zhou explained that the Shenzhen Hotel Association was established in 2004 and now has more than 400 member organisations, including international brands such as Marriott and Hilton, as well as domestic hotel groups including Grand Skylight and Yeste. Its network extends across the broader hotel supply chain, including energy conservation and environmental protection, green food ingredients, design and construction.
In 2021, building on the Shenzhen Hotel Association, China’s first Green Hotel Development Promotion Association was established. The Association has led the development of standards for green and low-carbon hotels and has developed substantial experience in ESG management and green supply chains. The Association has consistently upheld its approach of “serving the government on one side and industry enterprises on the other”, with Australia identified as the first overseas market for its member enterprises.
Drawing on her own business experience, Ms Liqin Du observed that the industry is facing a reality in which “if businesses do not go global, they risk being left behind”. She said that professional legal support can provide the “stability” and “security” that entrepreneurs need when entering new markets. Ms Du also proposed that the Association organise delegations of Shenzhen entrepreneurs to visit Australia, with a view to promoting two-way business exchange and progressing practical projects.
Mr Corey Cooney introduced Boston Global’s experience across the real estate, finance and energy sectors, including transactions with an aggregate value of more than AUD 75 billion and more than 40 years of engagement with the Chinese market. He also expressed strong interest in the Association’s operating model, green standards framework and the opportunities for collaboration with Australian hotel brands.
During the roundtable discussion, participants exchanged views on Australia’s business environment, opportunities in the hotel sector, and the legal compliance and tax structuring considerations relevant to Chinese businesses investing in Australia. The parties also explored opportunities to introduce the Association’s green hotel assessment framework, energy-saving technologies and China’s digital hotel management capabilities into the Australian market, combining their respective strengths to support future cooperation.
Under the agreement, the parties will establish a dedicated legal services channel for the Association’s member enterprises. Through a dedicated WeChat group, member businesses will be able to communicate directly with the YK Law (Sydney) team and receive timely legal support in relation to investment and business operations in Australia. The parties will also jointly organise a series of legal seminars on “Going Global to Australia” and arrange business delegations for member enterprises to visit Australia.
This agreement marks the beginning of a closer partnership between YK Law (Sydney) and the Association. Drawing on the Association’s extensive network across the hotel industry supply chain, we will support Shenzhen hotel-sector businesses entering the Australian market with legal services covering establishment and investment structures, regulatory compliance and ongoing business operations.