On 23 October 2026, the Global Legal Practice Salon - Southeast Asia Session was successfully held in Futian, Shenzhen. Attorney Zheng Junsheng, Founding Partner of Starry Law Firm Thailand, and Attorney Deng Mingyue, Founding Partner of Starry Law Firm Indonesia, were invited to speak. Focusing respectively on practical compliance for investment in Thailand and Indonesia's investment environment and legal compliance risks, they shared practical insights on the legal and compliance issues faced by Chinese enterprises investing in Southeast Asia, providing a professional platform for cross-border investment practice.

I. Focusing on Southeast Asia Investment: Exploring Cross-Border Compliance in Practice

The Salon was guided by relevant professional organisations in Futian District, supported by the 2026 FT Asia-Pacific International Law Silk Road Programme, and co-organised by LexisNexis. It focused on foreign investment regimes and operational compliance requirements in key Southeast Asian jurisdictions, covering matters such as market entry, investment policies, legal regulation and operational compliance.

As an increasing number of Chinese enterprises pursue international expansion in Southeast Asia, understanding the legal systems and foreign investment policies of different jurisdictions, and effectively managing cross-border operational risks, have become important issues for enterprises entering overseas markets.

II. Two Sessions Focus on Thailand and Indonesia Investment Compliance in Practice

During the Thailand session, Attorney Zheng Junsheng, Founding Partner of Starry Law Firm Thailand, presented on "Practical Compliance for Chinese Enterprises Investing in Thailand." Against the backdrop of Thailand 4.0 and Thailand's foreign investment policies, he systematically introduced restrictions under the Foreign Business Act (FBA), the Foreign Business License (FBL), the Foreign Business Certificate (FBC) and the Board of Investment (BOI) investment promotion regime. He also shared practical insights on company establishment, licence applications, contract execution, tax compliance and cross-border transaction arrangements, providing professional reference for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in compliance in Thailand.

Attorney Deng Mingyue, Founding Partner of Starry Law Firm Indonesia, presented on "Indonesia's Investment Environment and Legal Compliance Risks." Building on Indonesia's investment environment and industrial development, she systematically reviewed Indonesia's foreign investment access framework and discussed the Indonesian Standard Industrial Classification (KBLI), foreign investment entry rules, PT PMA structures and the OSS risk-based business licensing regime. She also highlighted compliance matters that Chinese enterprises should consider when investing in Indonesia, including company establishment, capital and investment-value requirements, Investment Activity Reports (LKPM), foreign personnel, land rights and other matters, providing practical reference for identifying investment risks and improving cross-border compliance management.

III. Strengthening Professional Collaboration to Support Cross-Border Investment

Thailand and Indonesia are important investment destinations for Chinese enterprises in Southeast Asia. Their respective characteristics in industrial development, foreign investment entry, investment promotion and operational regulation create different compliance requirements for cross-border investors.

The Salon focused on investment-law practice in these two key markets and helped participating professionals further deepen their understanding of local legal frameworks and cross-border investment compliance.

Starry Law Firm has long focused on legal services for Chinese enterprises expanding into Southeast Asia. Leveraging professional legal-service resources across China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and other jurisdictions, Starry provides legal support in areas including market entry, investment-structure design, company establishment, business licensing, investment incentives, legal due diligence and day-to-day operational compliance.

Going forward, Starry Law Firm will continue to strengthen collaboration with global legal-practice platforms and local partners, closely monitor changes in Southeast Asian investment policies and legal environments, and provide professional legal support for Chinese enterprises pursuing cross-border investment and operations.