On November 26, 2024, I flew with a delegation of elite Chinese lawyers from Beijing to Chile. In Santiago, we had a meeting with Mr. Wang Hexing, the President of the Chilean Chinese Business Association and Director of the Chilean Chinese Assistance Center. Both parties sincerely exchanged views on topics including risk identification for domestic enterprises and Chinese overseas investments, management team building, third-party services, and, in particular, the demand for overseas legal services. On the afternoon of November 28, with the recommendation of President Wang, I visited the local law firm DJT (Defensoria Jurídica y Tributaria), where I had an in-depth discussion with fellow lawyers on traditional legal services, tax-related matters, intellectual property, and commercial arbitration. This laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.
During the exchange, President Wang shared his experience and insights from years of cross-border (including both national and industry borders) cooperation. His views were particularly insightful and inspiring, sparking strong reactions from the participants. The discussion quickly evolved into a brainstorming session, which further sparked in-depth discussions on the future of going abroad (the “go global” initiative). I believe it is necessary to share these insights within the legal services community in a timely manner.
The Foundation of Overseas Exchanges and Cooperation
First, in cross-industry and cross-border exchanges, the foundation is language and emotional communication. In a Spanish-speaking country like Chile, if one does not understand Spanish, relying entirely on translators can make communication inefficient and limited. Therefore, cultivating bilingual talents and creating a talent pipeline across various industries is crucial and urgent.
Second, overseas exchanges are also about cultural exchange and information sharing. Without understanding Chile’s historical changes, local customs, ethnic composition, religious beliefs, communication practices, and the current state of social development and living conditions, relying solely on public channels or online feedback would provide limited information, leading to misjudgments in business decisions and future plans. Thus, how to integrate into the local culture and comprehensively grasp important and updated information is key to the success of cooperation.
Third, overseas exchanges are also about exchanging trust and interests. Building mutual trust is a process, and the sharing of benefits must be part of a long-term and stable vision. There is no need to pursue unilateral dominance or complete control. Only through sharing and cooperation can benefits be sustained over the long term, and cooperation between parties can continue to progress in a steady and solid manner.
Key Points and Challenges of Overseas Exchanges and Cooperation
First, talent cultivation and reserves are critical, including current and future talents, professional and managerial talents, Chilean and domestic talents, trade, production, technological innovation, industrial development, and cultural construction talents, among others.
Second, team building and continuous optimization are essential. Future overseas cooperation cannot and will not be just individual-level collaborations. It will inevitably require the coordination, adaptation, and long-term cooperation of teams. Strengthening team building, including leadership, marketing, decision-making, execution, and other roles, should be part of a long-term plan to ensure steady implementation and continuous improvement. This is the only way to ensure that cooperation is mutually beneficial.
Third, the recognition and planning of talent cultivation by both countries' governments and relevant departments is essential. This includes the design of educational systems, mutual recognition of degrees and certificates, vocational education exchanges, and labor exportation.
Fourth, it is important to leverage the power of various business associations, chambers of commerce, and third-party organizations. Encouraging grassroots, simple, and beneficial activities can lead to the updating of systems and the improvement of laws. Lawyers, in particular, should play a crucial role in providing professional legal services.
Fifth, the promotion of economic operations by enterprises and the improvement of the quality of life for families should be equally prioritized. Enterprises should focus on recruitment assessment, in-job training, and career development channels, while families should emphasize children’s cultural education, international exchanges, vocational training, and employment development. Enterprises, as economic units, and families, as social units, should develop simultaneously and collaborate to accelerate overall development.
Cooperation Models and Proposals for Going Global
"Thinking is the problem; action brings the answer!" After heated discussions, the attendees suggested starting with projects that are easy to initiate, easy to promote, and easy to be responded to by both government and civil society. The specific proposals are summarized as follows:
Relying on the foundation of existing intermediary organizations such as bar associations, industry associations, and business chambers, encourage interactive exchanges between service institutions, law offices, and other intermediary organizations. For example, setting up overseas offices or liaison offices for well-known law offices, facilitating mutual exchange programs, and fostering business and product exchanges through chambers of commerce, thereby promoting resource sharing, data exchange, and cooperation.
Strengthening educational exchanges between China and Chile, promoting mutual recognition and use of degrees, diplomas, and professional certificates, encouraging student exchange programs between qualified schools in both countries, and supporting the legal community in developing and improving relevant systems and legal norms.
Given Chile's vast coastline and its thriving industries such as mining, forestry, and fishing, as well as its abundant copper reserves in the north, it is possible to leverage China's technological, talent, and market advantages to enhance investment cooperation, equity partnerships, management team collaboration, and product exportation, thus sharing the fruits of cooperation and mutual success.
Considering China's advanced seawater purification technology, both parties could collaborate to develop new products, strengthen the development of industries such as cherries, wine, and agricultural products, benefiting people’s livelihoods and promoting social progress.
Strengthening cultural exchanges, as Chile's rich multicultural heritage, including literature, music, art, and historical districts, enjoys global acclaim. Promoting Chinese culture in Chile, telling China's story well, fostering creative products, and utilizing intangible cultural heritage offer great opportunities for cooperation.
Adapting to the development trends of the times, leveraging strategies like the “Belt and Road” initiative and “rural revitalization,” we can actively initiate changes and explore new paths for high-quality development with joint efforts from all parties.