Singapore to Shanghai: Learning Beyond Borders
Singapore to Shanghai: Learning Beyond Borders
Insight MinLaw goes behind the scenes to uncover stories about how the work we do impacts you.
As the Chinese saying goes, "reading ten thousand books is not as good as travelling ten thousand miles" (读万卷书不如行万里路). For Singapore lawyers wanting to understand the Chinese legal market, this rings particularly true.
Grace Goh and Davis Tan from Incisive Law LLC, and Chua Cheng'An from Asia Practice LLC experienced this firsthand through the Singapore-Shanghai Lawyers Exchange Programme. Here's how their time in Shanghai deepened their understanding of the business environment and culture whilst expanding their professional networks.
Grace, Davis and Cheng’An visited local law firms, including Zhihe Partners, during their attachment in Shanghai
The Driving Force
For Davis and Grace, the exchange programme presented a good opportunity to expand their networks and build meaningful connections. "I wanted to forge strong relationships with lawyers in Shanghai,” said Grace.
As for Cheng’An, who had been working with Chinese clients for some time, the exchange was "a logical step" in furthering his expertise and gaining the confidence to work in an unfamiliar market.
Cheng’An (centre) and Grace (3rd from the right) during a casual networking session with Chinese legal professionals
What It's Like in Practice
The participants were assigned to different Chinese law firms. From Mondays to Thursdays, they worked at their respective offices.
Grace participated in her host firm's events not just in Shanghai but across its different offices throughout China. Cheng’An made good use of work interactions and meal gatherings to befriend and connect with Shanghai lawyers.
On Fridays, they took part in group activities, organised by a different law firm every week. Activities included opening ceremonies, and even a visit to Disneyland. Through these experiences, they gained a deeper appreciation not only of how the Chinese work and think, but also of how they live and play, which is just as important to building mutual understanding and lasting relationships.
Davis recalled fondly that the host firms went beyond professional obligations to ensure a well-rounded experience. "The firms were very generous in terms of spending their time and bringing us around, showing us Shanghai," said Davis.
Navigating Cultural Differences
Just as places and communities have different ways of addressing people or describing everyday items, the legal industry in Shanghai comes with its own set of practices that can make a difference between successful collaborations and missed opportunities.
Cheng’An learned that even basic professional interactions required a completely different approach. He said, "WeChat is everything in China. Name cards are not the way it works here."
Going into detail, he said “If someone adds you and you exchange e-name cards, do ensure you save the image of that e-name card, as WeChat will wipe them after some time. If you need to contact that person again, it might be a little awkward if you don’t know their name, as you would only have their WeChat handle to refer to.”
Grace giving a speech at the opening ceremony
As deputy leader, Grace was asked to give an opening speech on behalf of the Singapore delegation and she pushed herself to increase her fluency in Mandarin.
“That opportunity stretched me and subsequently challenged me to take on more Mandarin-speaking engagements. I participated in an online seminar where I spoke about using Singapore as a platform to invest into ASEAN. I also gave a short talk to a law firm in Wuxi,” she shared.
Davis echoed the language experience. He said, “The phrases that our China counterparts used were somewhat different from ours. Being in the environment really helps you brush up your language skills”.
He was also struck by the work ethic he observed, explaining that “whatever hour of the day you contacted them, you would receive a response.”
Building Lasting Connections
Despite juggling responsibilities in Shanghai and Singapore simultaneously, Cheng’An emphasised the importance of getting out and interacting with people.
“The Chinese are generally very approachable, and a little connection goes a long way,” he said.
"Have meals with them. Lots of meals. That's where the bonding occurs. They will help you out in many ways you would never expect," he advised, adding that Chinese lawyers tended to be a little more reticent in official settings but would share more in private settings.
Welcome dinner hosted by the Shanghai Bar Association for the Singapore lawyers
Being part of a structured programme was also helpful for networking. As Cheng’An noted, " It is way easier to make connections as part of an official delegation.”
Reflections From the Exchange
Davis highlighted how the experience translated into practical benefits. “Having been in that environment for three months really helps you understand them and their culture. Even now, when I meet up with clients, they are quite surprised at how well we understand their culture”.
Beyond individual learning, he also observed that the exchange fostered strong bonds among the Singapore lawyers themselves. Having lived, worked, and navigated a new environment together, they became close and continued to keep in touch well after the programme ended. This strengthened his networks within the Singapore legal profession, which is a valuable outcome in its own right.
When asked to offer practical advice for lawyers considering the programme, Grace stressed the importance of purpose and expectations.
"Be very clear on what you want to achieve from this experience,” she said. “We are coming in as a delegation sent by Singapore so there are certain standards and expectations, and how you carry yourself is going to be how the Chinese believe Singaporean lawyers are.”
Cheng’An chimed in with a recommendation on how to transit smoothly from Singapore to Shanghai.
"Purchase a local Chinese phone number as soon as possible – that is one foot in the door for everyday Chinese life. Load up your WeChat or Alipay e-wallet to make your life easier," he said, emphasising that these simple preparations could significantly boost one's ability to integrate into Chinese professional and social environments.
Singapore lawyers, Phoebe, Cheng’An, Grace and Davis (from left to right) having a meal together
Creating The Next Wave
Want to be part of the next wave of Singapore lawyers to embark on this transformative journey to Shanghai? Sign up here: https://go.gov.sg/sgsh2026
About the Singapore-Shanghai Lawyers Exchange Programme
The Singapore-Shanghai Lawyers Exchange Programme was established in 2023 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Singapore Ministry of Law, the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, The Law Society of Singapore, and the Shanghai Bar Association.
The programme facilitates knowledge exchange between the two cities through attachments and study visits, enabling lawyers from both sides to build networks, share best practices, and gain insights into each other’s business environments and legal cultures.