Abstract:   Protection of shareholder’s rights is an important issue in the Anglo-Saxon companies which have decentralized shareholding structures, as well as in the Eurasia and East Asia firms featured in centralized shareholding structures and concentrated power in few major shareholders.After comparing the evolution of shareholder protection among different types of companies, it is proven that the role of law is crucial. Under the safeguard of law, the shareholders are able to take part in the corporate governance. In china, the revised corporate law and the reform of the shareholder structure have served as a timely response to the urgent requirement for the stock owership protection, and also consist with the global trend toward the shareholders’ protection.  

Key words: corporate governance, protection of shareholder’s rights, company law