By Co-Director of CEIBS Centre for Family Heritage and Professor of Finance and Accounting Oliver Rui

When Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee suffered a heart attack in May, investors began to consider the impact that a sudden, accelerated leadership succession might have on the company. Lee is expected to eventually hand the reins to his son, Lee Jae-yong, 45, who has worked at the company in various capacities for 23 years. Does the younger Lee have what it takes to steer Samsung forward in today’s competitive business environment?

The founders of most family businesses in China are now looking at their own children and wrestling with this same question. For them, the next five to 10 years will be critical. That’s the peak succession period as the first wave of entrepreneurs to benefit from Reform and Opening Up begins to retire. After decades of hard work and sacrifice to make their enterprises successful, they want to ensure they are “built to last” – a legacy that will help support future generations. Read more on Forbes.com