Shareholder Activism in China and Beyond

Combining legal analysis, comparative methodologies, and original empirical research, this book provides a detailed examination of institutional shareholder activism in China and its wider global implications.

It traces the evolution of shareholder activism in China, from the emergence of modern institutional investors in the early 2000s, through to the 2023 revision of China’s Company Law. This development has occurred within a market characterized by concentrated ownership, state influence, and dynamic regulatory changes. The book demonstrates that activism in China is both real and significant, yet distinct from Western models. Its scope encompasses routine voting, shareholder meetings, private engagement, regulatory complaints, and litigation support. Conceptualizing shareholder activism as “bounded shareholder voice”, the author argues that the future of such activism — both in China and globally — depends on the development of context-sensitive systems. These systems must adapt to unique market and regulatory environments.

This book is essential reading for scholars, postgraduate students, policymakers, and institutional investors interested in corporate law and governance, investor influence, and corporate accountability in global markets.