Andrew Zhang

Andrew Zhang, also known as Zhang Xinyang, is a Managing Partner of Commerce & Finance Law Offices (通商律师事务所), one of China's prominent law firms, based in Beijing. He has been recognised in the Corporate INTL Global Awards 2026 as AI & Big Data Lawyer of the Year in China, an accolade that reflects his focus on the fast-developing legal issues surrounding artificial intelligence and data.

A leading Chinese law firm

Commerce & Finance Law Offices is an established full-service law firm headquartered in Beijing, known for its work in corporate, finance and commercial matters for domestic and international clients. As a managing partner, Andrew Zhang holds a senior leadership role within the firm and advises clients on the legal dimensions of artificial intelligence and big data, an area of growing importance for businesses and regulators alike. The firm serves clients across a wide range of sectors from its base in the Chinese capital.

AI and big data law in China

Artificial intelligence and big data have become central to commerce, technology and public policy, and the law governing them is evolving rapidly. Businesses that develop or deploy AI systems, or that collect and process large volumes of data, must navigate a growing body of rules addressing data protection, data security, algorithmic transparency and the responsible use of emerging technologies. China has been at the forefront of building a comprehensive regulatory framework in this space, with legislation governing personal information protection, data security and the management of data as an economic resource, as well as measures directed specifically at algorithms and generative AI.

For companies operating in or with China, this means that the design and deployment of AI and data-driven products carry significant legal considerations. Advisers in this field help clients understand and comply with applicable requirements, manage cross-border data flows, structure technology transactions and licensing arrangements, protect and exploit data assets, and address the intellectual property and liability questions that new technologies raise. A lawyer who combines technical understanding with knowledge of the regulatory landscape is well placed to guide clients through this complex and shifting terrain.

Areas of focus

• Artificial intelligence law and governance
• Big data, data protection and data security
• Technology transactions and compliance
• Corporate and commercial advisory
• Cross-border data and technology matters

China is one of the world's largest markets for technology and data-driven business, and its regulatory approach to AI and data has attracted close attention internationally. Businesses seeking to innovate responsibly need advisers who can reconcile commercial ambition with a rigorous compliance framework, ensuring that new products and services are developed and deployed in a manner consistent with the applicable rules. The rapid pace of legal and technological change makes specialist, up-to-date advice particularly valuable.

International businesses face the added challenge of reconciling China's regulatory requirements with those of other jurisdictions in which they operate. Data localisation and cross-border transfer rules, in particular, require careful planning where information moves between China and other markets. Advisers who understand both the domestic framework and its interaction with international practice help clients build compliant, workable arrangements for their AI and data activities. Andrew Zhang's focus on this fast-evolving field, within a firm experienced in serving both domestic and international clients, equips him to guide organisations through the practical and strategic questions that artificial intelligence and big data present in China.

Corporate INTL Global Awards 2026

The Corporate INTL Global Awards recognise leading practitioners and firms across the world's legal and advisory markets, identified through the publication's research among clients and peers. Andrew Zhang's recognition as AI & Big Data Lawyer of the Year in China reflects both his personal expertise and the strength of Commerce & Finance Law Offices. For businesses grappling with the legal challenges of artificial intelligence and data in China, his experience within a leading Beijing firm offers a knowledgeable and well-placed source of advice.