On September 26th, Kyoto Family Trust Legal Affairs Center and Comassel Group, with STEP China as the guidance unit, co-hosted a professional salon with the theme of “Private Trust Company (PTC): Structure Establishment, Governance Practice and Global Vision”. The event brought together top experts and practical elites in the industry to provide cutting-edge ideas and practical solutions for HNW family wealth inheritance and asset management through keynote speeches, round-table dialogues and in-depth interactions.
Opening:
Anchoring demand and interpreting the core value of PTC
At the beginning of the event, Mr. Rong Chen, a lawyer from Beijing King&Capital Law Firm, acted as the moderator and delivered an opening speech, systematically sorting out the background and core issues of the event. She pointed out that the current global wealth pattern is undergoing deep restructuring, and HNW families are facing multiple challenges such as cross-border compliance and intergenerational transfer in the pursuit of sound wealth inheritance, risk isolation and retention of control. As a family-led trustee entity, private trust company (PTC) provides an innovative path for family asset protection and inheritance planning with its dual advantages of “highly customized + core control retention” - not only can it rely on trust structure to achieve asset Risk isolation, but also allows family members to continue to influence the direction of wealth management within the compliance framework. Rong Chen emphasized that although PTC legislation has been gradually improved in major financial centers around the world, issues such as the design of the compliance structure, the effectiveness of the governance mechanism and cross-border tax planning still need to be dismantled in depth, which is precisely where the core value of this salon lies.
Rong Chen, Attorney at Law
Keynote Speech:
Dual Perspectives of Academia + Industry, Disassembling the Key to PTC Practice
Academic leadership: in-depth analysis from jurisprudence to practice
Mr. Han Liang, Professor of Civil and Commercial Law and Doctoral Supervisor of Nankai University, delivered a keynote speech titled “Establishment and Governance of Private Trust Companies”. Taking the classic “Bartlett Case” as the starting point, he systematically analyzed the core functions, establishment requirements, operation logic and governance structure of PTC, especially focusing on the difficulties in the application of PTC in the disputes of clan trust. With profound academic accumulation and rich practical experience, Prof. Han Liang realized the seamless connection of “theoretical framework + case landing”, and constructed a complete PTC knowledge system for the audience.
Mr. Han Liang
Practical lecture: Practical guide to structure design and control rights management
Afterwards, Mr. Ke Songxian, Regional Legal and Operations Director of Camasus Group and a full member of the Society for Trust, Estate and Planning (TEP), and Mr. Ni Ling, Operations Director of Camasus Group in China and a registered member of the Society for Trust, Estate and Planning (STEP Affiliate), jointly shared their views on “Practicalities of Building a Private Trust Company (PTC)”. With “structure comparison + case review” as the core, the two experts analyzed the “family trust infrastructure” and “PTC core structure”, compared the differences of PTC systems in major jurisdictions around the world, and combined them with a case study of a failed PTC. By analyzing the “Family Trust Infrastructure” and “PTC Core Structure”, comparing the differences in PTC systems in major jurisdictions around the world, and reviewing a failed case in depth, they clearly explained the “core criteria for a reasonable PTC structure” and the “key points of control management”. Finally, they also introduced the service advantages of Camasus Group in PTC structure construction and cross-border operation, which provided practical reference for the industry.
Mr. Or Songxian
Mr. Ni Ling
Introduction of Institutes: STEP Empowerment, Linking Global Trust Professional Resources
In the introduction of professional organizations, Mr. Wei Dongda, Director of STEP China (Head of Marketing and Communications) and Plenipotentiary Member of the International Society of Trust Assets and Planning (TEP), systematically explained STEP's policy support, chapter activities, Chinese community and public service in Mainland China around the four major dimensions of STEP: overview of STEP, membership system and benefits, course accreditation, and resource platform. The detailed introduction aroused great interest from the audience, and many participants stayed after the event to further communicate with each other about membership qualification and certificate training.
STEP Overview
Roundtable Forum:
Multi-dimensional Collision, Facing PTC Core Issues Directly
The salon entered the climax - roundtable forum, the host Rong Chen appeared again, according to the order of speeches invited Beijing King&Capital Law Firm lawyer Wei Dongda TEP, vice president of the family office of King&Capital Law Firm partner Li Nan, the Konmasso Group China operations director Ni Ling, Beijing King&Capital Law Firm partner lawyer Liu Hongyu as the talk with the guests. The guests of honor, centering on the PTC practice pain points to carry out in-depth dialogue.
Mr. Wei Dongda TEP, a lawyer of Beijing King&Capital Law Firm, used three comparative tables as a tool to clearly sort out the “Differences in advantages and disadvantages between PTC and licensed trust company”, “Comparison of PTC system between BVI and other offshore jurisdictions”, “Comparison of BVI VISTA Purpose Trust System”, “Comparison of BVI VISTA Purpose Trust System”, “Comparison of BVI VISTA Purpose Trust System”, and “BVI VISTA Trust System”. The three core issues of “BVI VISTA Purpose Trust Supervisory Role Positioning”, which provides a data-based reference for structuring choices.
Mr. Wei Dongda
Li Nan, Vice President of Family Office of Jinghua Family, combined with the rich practice of Jinghua Family in the field of family wealth management, shared the practical difficulties and forward-looking thinking of PTC in asset segregation, intergenerational inheritance and globalization allocation, and argued and emphasized the “way” and “technique” of PTC from the perspective of the ‘way’ and “technique”. From the perspective of “Dao” and “Technique”, Ms. Li argued and emphasized the need for PTC to be matched with the needs of the family in depth.
Ms. Li Nan
Ms. Ni Ling, Operation Director of Comassel Group China, focused on the cross-border compliance and tax pain points, from “whether PTC constitutes a financial institution”, “trust property CRS tax information declaration and exchange rules”, “beneficiary distribution arrangements and tax status planning” to “the need for PTC to meet the needs of the family”. Mr. Ni Ling analyzed the three dimensions of “whether PTC constitutes a financial institution”, “CRS tax-related information reporting and exchange rules for trust property” and “beneficiaries' distribution arrangement and tax status planning”, and responded to the compliance issues that the industry is generally concerned.
Mr. Ni Ling
Mr. Liu Hongyu, Partner of Beijing King&Capital Law Firm and Secretary General of Kyoto Family Trust Legal Affairs Center, pointed out that “PTC is not an all-purpose tool” and focused on another core wealth management tool - private foundation, explaining in detail its features, functions and typical cases. Case Study. By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of private foundation and PTC, she emphasized that “all kinds of tools have applicable boundaries, and only through comprehensive application can we realize the ‘secure protection and safe inheritance’ of family wealth.” "
Liu Hongyu Lawyer
Interactive closing:
Exchange of ideas, the temperature outside the dry goods
As the roundtable forum came to an end, the salon entered the offline interactive session. The audience had a lively discussion with the guest of honor on issues such as “Combined use of PTC and foundation” and “Strategies for choosing offshore jurisdictions”, and the atmosphere at the scene was vibrant. Prof. Han Liang also gave the autographed copy of “Insurance Trust Jurisprudence and Case Analysis” to the audience, which added warmth to the event beyond the professionalism.
The online live broadcast of this salon was viewed thousands of times, which not only set up a cross-border communication platform of “academia + practice + organization” for the family wealth management industry, but also fully demonstrated King&Capital Law Firm's profound professional deposits and cutting-edge research capabilities in the fields of family wealth management, offshore trust structural design, CRS tax compliance and other areas.
Guest Introduction:
Han Liang, Senior Consultant of Trust Law of King&Capital Law Firm, Honorary Director of Family Trust Legal Affairs Center, Doctor of Management, Post Doctor of Law, Professor (Civil and Commercial Law) and Doctoral Supervisor of Law School of Nankai University, Director of Capital Market Research Center of Nankai University, and Arbitrator of China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC). Mr. Han Liang provides wealth management and inheritance, family trust, family charter, public welfare and charity, family fund, family office, family property agreement and will arrangement, cross-border wealth inheritance, asset allocation, corporate governance, corporate investment and financing, corporate crisis resolution, corporate listing, cross-border investment, marital risk prevention, identity planning, corporate governance, corporate investment and financing, corporate crisis resolution, corporate listing, and cross-border investment. Han Liang provides legal services in the form of program design, consulting, and salon services in various areas such as legal services for public welfare charities, family offices, family property agreements and voluntary arrangements, cross-border wealth inheritance, asset allocation, corporate governance, corporate investment and financing, corporate crisis resolution, corporate IPO, cross-border investment, marital risk prevention, identity planning, and so on. In terms of research, Han Liang also served as editor-in-chief and published the earliest family trust monograph in China - Family Trust Jurisprudence and Case Concentration in 2015, and Insurance Trust Jurisprudence and Case Concentration in 2025; meanwhile, Han Liang has written dozens of articles for many media platforms, and presided over the research of the 2017 China Law Society's ministerial-level project “China's Development of Family Trust”. Ministry-level project “Legal Dilemmas and Breakthroughs in Developing Family Trusts in China” in 2017, “Research on the Basic Theory and Institutional Design of Civil Trusts” in 2018 by the National Social Science Foundation (NSDF), “Research on the Revised Content of the Trust Law” in 2022 by the China Association of the Trust Industry (CAITI), and completed a number of projects and reports such as “Research on the Legal Institutional Innovation Problems of China's Civil Trusts” by the NSDF “Report on the High Quality Development of China's Trusts” in 2024 Mr. Ko Song-Hsien.
Cone Marshall, Regional Legal and Operations Director, International Institute of Trust and Estate Planning (TEP), Lawyer (dual-qualified in California, USA and Ontario, Canada), Accountant (dual-qualified in Washington, USA and Alberta, Canada), Mr. Cone Marshall has more than 25 years of international work experience. He has worked in Canada, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Or is a veteran of the offshore trust industry and has extensive experience in all aspects of trust establishment and administration and corporate structuring for private clients. Mr. Or has a strong focus on wealth planning in a cross-border environment, particularly with respect to U.S. or Canadian tax issues. Mr. Ko is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Mr. Ni Ling is the Director of Operations for Cone Marshall in China. He is responsible for business development and client relations in China. Mr. Ni Ling has more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry and extensive asset management experience in the family wealth management industry sector, of which Mr. Ni Ling has more than 10 years of experience in managerial positions, where he served as a Senior Director of BOCOM Financial Group, and Head of Private Wealth Business of Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC. Mr. Ni Ling received his master's degree from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. He holds a Registered Member of the International Society of Trust and Estate Planning (STEP), a Registered Financial Planner (RFP) in the United States, and the Financial Planner (AFP) certification issued by the China Financial Planner Standards Board.
Mr. Li Nan, Partner and Vice President of Jinghua Family Office, Chief Family Legacy Planner, Master of Economics from Peking University, Top 10 Influential Figures of Family Management Leaders in China in 2023, Certified Trust and Asset Planner of STEP (International Society of Trust and Asset Planning), National Senior Financial Planner, and Special Lecturer of CPB (Certified Private Banker). She was a famous financial host and producer in the field of financial TV in China, and has authored many best-selling books in financial profession, such as “My Most Wanted Financial Book”, “Women's Wealth Very Way”, and “Ten Questions about China's Financial Future”, etc. She started to enter into the family office industry in 2016, and has provided top-level design solutions and implemented them, including family wealth protection and inheritance, family risk management, family governance, etc., for several wealthy families.
Liu Hongyu, Partner of Beijing King&Capital Law Firm, Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from Nankai University, Registered Member of International Society of Trust and Asset Planning. Mr. Liu is mainly engaged in trust, banking, wealth management, corporate, fund, asset securitization and other legal services, and has provided legal services for many domestic and foreign financial institutions as well as a number of high-net-worth clients, such as family trusts, insurance trusts, employee equity incentive trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts and other legal services such as structural design, program implementation, due diligence, text drafting and revision, etc. Mr. Liu was involved in the “Family Trust Jurisprudence and Case Analysis”, “Insurance Trust Law”, “Insurance Trust Law”, and “Family Governance”. He has participated in the research and writing of books and topics such as “Jurisprudence and Cases of Family Trust”, “Jurisprudence and Cases of Insurance Trust”, “Research on Revision of Trust Law”, etc., and has published dozens of articles in professional journals.
Wei Dongda is a lawyer at King&Capital Law Firm, a full member of TEP, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Bristol, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Nankai University, a member of STEP China (Head of Marketing and Communications), and an international tutor at the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences of the University of Bristol. International Tutor. Mr. Wei has been shortlisted for the 20th STEP Private Client Awards as a “Star of Tomorrow (Legal)”. Mr. Wei's practice focuses on wealth management and dispute resolution, providing legal services for UHNW clients, domestic and overseas family trust projects, charitable trust projects, cross-border investment projects such as the establishment of a joint research institute between Nankai University and Oxford University, and providing litigation, arbitration, and other non-litigation dispute resolution services for clients, as well as special and permanent legal counseling services for a number of financial institutions such as CITIC Bank, Jianxin Trust, Industrial Trust, and COFCO Trust, etc. He has also been involved in the legal and business development of a number of financial institutions. He has provided special and permanent legal counseling services for many financial institutions such as CITIC Bank, CITIC Trust, Xingxin Trust, COFCO Trust, etc. He has participated in the writing of the book “Insurance Trust Jurisprudence and Case Analysis”, and has published a number of professional papers in the periodicals such as “Family Business” and “STEP Journal”.
Rong Chen, Beijing King&Capital Law Firm, Master of Economics and Law, Nankai University, major practice areas include wealth management, financial business, corporate and compliance legal affairs, etc., and has been involved in a number of projects such as domestic equity trusts, real estate trusts, insurance trusts, testamentary trusts, charitable trusts, creditor's trusts, pension service trusts, and trusts of asset income rights, etc., which involves legal affairs such as structural design and argumentation, due diligence, drafting and modification of transaction documents, and other legal affairs. Involved in legal services such as structuring and argumentation, due diligence, drafting and revision of transaction documents.
