Mr. Xizhong Yan, Founding Partner of ForTran, delivered the closing lecture of Tax Law Principles and Corporate Compliance Practice at Fudan University. He shared insights on financial derivatives and their tax compliance treatment, bridging legal theory with business practice and inspiring students through in-depth case analysis and Q&A.
On April 10, 2025, Mr. Ryan Yan, Founding Partner of Shanghai ForTran Law Firm, was invited to deliver the final lecture of the course Tax Law Principles and Corporate Compliance Practice at the School of Economics, Fudan University.
Mr. Yan shared insights on the legal and compliance aspects of financial derivatives, covering futures, options, swaps, and structured transactions. He explained their commercial applications in risk management and highlighted how tax law principles apply to derivative trading under China’s Value Added Tax (VAT) and corporate income tax rules. Drawing on cases and regulatory guidance, he analyzed the interaction between legal form and economic substance, particularly in cross-border taxation and withholding issues.
The session concluded a semester-long series that combined theory with practice and sparked lively discussion on compliance challenges facing businesses today. Mr. Yan also hosted a follow-up Q&A, addressing students’ questions on tax avoidance, issuing false (fraudulent) invoices, and challenges in the platform economy.
Mr. Yan with students after the lecture
Through his teaching, Mr. Yan helped bridge academic theory with practical legal solutions, offering students valuable guidance for their future professional development.
