On July 6, 2010, the managing partner of Hwuason law firm, Liu Tianyong together with Hwuason lawyers delegation arrived in Vienna, Austria, and visited the headquarters of the Austrian tax firm LBG. At the meeting, numerous hot discussions on tax practice issues of both counties were set forth.

LBG is the leading local tax consulting and auditing firm with some 400 employees working in 30 offices all over Austria. Different from some international tax firms which concentrate on audit, LBG focuses on tax consulting for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. However, LBG realized the new opportunities in tax business with the trend of international development and EU enlargement as well.

The firm pointed out that although the tax systems in Austria and Germany might appear similar at the first sight, there are significant differences when it comes to the details. In comparison to Austrian Lawyers with the background in civil and public law Austrian tax consultants and chartered public accountants are highly skilled and specialized in tax law. This is why 99% of tax business in Austria is managed by tax consultants and not by tax lawyers as in some other European countries.

With EU integration and economic globalization, tax-related business and tax consulting will play an increasingly important role. The successful experience of the exchange visits is also worthy of learning and referencing for local law firms in China.

On July 6, 2010, the managing partner of Hwuason law firm, Liu Tianyong together with a Hwuason lawyers delegation arrived in Austria, and visited the famous local tax firm LeitnerLeitner. At the meeting, numerous hot discussions on tax practice issues of both countries were set forth.

LeitnerLeitner is one of the leading tax consulting and auditing companies in the CEE/SEE countries.

We learned that tax lawyers in Austria are highly valued and experienced both, in business and law matters.

Although Austrian business entities still focus on the European market, more and more Austrian entrepreneurs are taking the chance of going Far East, especially to China. Tax-related business and tax lawyers will play an increasingly important role and, thus, strong partnerships between both continents will be needed herefor. The successful experience of the exchange visits is worthy of learning and referencing for local law firms in China.

On July 5, 2010, the managing partner of Hwuason law firm, Liu Tianyong together with Hwuason lawyers delegation visited De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V.

During the visit, all senior tax partners of the law firms participated in the communication sessions. Both law firms own high-quality staffs in tax departments and attach great importance to the tax related business. Facing the new tax issues and the challenges to innovation, they adjust business strategies continually to be more professional.

Furthermore, they expressed great interest in developing business in and outside China and to pursue objectives that are of mutual interest to both firms.

On July 3, 2010, the managing partner of Hwuason law firm, Liu Tianyong together with Hwuason lawyer’s delegation visited TAXPERIENCE. Two founding partners attended the communication conference. All participants discussed deeply about their experience, tax developments and the new challenges ahead in the tax field.

TAXPERIENCE is a renowned institution that is engaged in all sorts of tax-related advisory and business services. Its widespread business scope, specialization in tailor made and to-the-point tax consultancy, expertise knowledge on a variety of in- and outbound investment vehicles and R&D operations have made its good reputation all over Europe.

It is believed that through this exchange visit, the two parties will improve their understanding to each other, enhance the mutual study and communications, and promote the friendship as well.

On July 2, 2010, the managing partner of Hwuason law firm, Liu Tianyong together with Hwuason’s lawyers delegation visited GGSM law firm in France. The chief partner and three senior counsels attended the meeting. Two parties exchanged their professional opinions during the meeting.

At the conference, the GGSM law firm expressed its keen interest in Chinese tax laws and Hwuason Law Firm. Centering on newly issued Circulars, the two parties discussed hotspots on tax administration concerning foreign investment in China. Meanwhile, the GGSM law firm showed its interest to strengthen the ties with Hwuason for further communication and cooperation.

GGSM is a comprehensive law firm with all kinds of tax business; the tax department takes an important role in its development. Its new focus on domestic and internal tax law reveals the ambition in becoming a diversified and specialized law firm. Under this circumstance, this visit has not only enhanced the mutual understanding and trust, but provided each other a better foundation for further development.