Open for business, Chongqing office set to further boost KWM’s presence in Southwest China

On 18 March 2021, King & Wood Mallesons Chongqing office officially opened. It is the second office set up by KWM in Southwest China, following Chengdu office, bringing the total of KWM China offices to 14. Located in Liangjiang New Area, Chongqing office obtained the approval for its establishment from Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Justice at the end of October 2020.

Chongqing, a municipality directly under the central government in Southwest China, is the largest industrial and commercial city in the southwestern of the country, an important modern national manufacturing base and a comprehensive transportation hub in the region. In recent years, the construction of the Chengdu and Chongqing Economic Circle has continued, and has been included into the 14th Five-Year Plan. The demand for high-end foreign-related legal services in the region is on the rise. KWM always pays close attention to the development of the economy and legal service market there, and has established its physical presence in Chengdu as early as in 1998. Based on the high reputation and extensive client base already established in Sichuan and Chongqing, the two offices will work together to serve a greater area, assisting more enterprises and institutions in keeping up with the global market trend and seeking cooperation worldwide. They will become the backbones of KWM in the region and even the west part at large.

By taking into consideration of the demands of clients and the market, Chongqing office will in the beginning contribute to the firm's practice in capital market, corporate, dispute resolution, restructuring & insolvency, and to international cooperation relating to the Belt and Road Initiative, providing clients in the manufacturing, modern agriculture, technology, real estate and infrastructure, cultural tourism and other industries with professional and first-class legal services. The Chongqing team is made up of partners, counsels and associates who have been deeply delved in the regional market for many years. With a wealth of experience, strength and in-depth understanding of various sectors, the team is able to leverage the KWM platform and resources to assist clients in achieving better development locally.

Liu Rong, Finance & Securities

Liu Rong specializes in corporate, securities, and civil and commercial matters. He has more than 20 years of experience in the legal service market in Sichuan and Chongqing, and joined Chengdu office in 1999. Mr. Liu has advised many large and medium-sized SOEs, private enterprises, high-tech companies on their reorganization, restructuring, and merger and acquisition. He has also advised Chinese enterprises on their IPOs and listings on stock markets both in the Mainland and Hong Kong S.A.R. He has served as the counsel for many large SOEs, private high-tech companies and some large foreign-funded enterprises.

Liu Zhizhi, Corporate

Liu Zhizhi focuses her practice on international construction projects and construction related investment, international trade in technology and goods, and civil and commercial dispute resolution. Ms. Liu knows the business processes of international construction projects and construction related investment, and international trade in technology and goods. She has a deep understanding of FIDIC contract conditions, standard goods procurement and engineering construction contract conditions of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, and other widely accepted international construction and engineering contract versions. She has substantial experience in drafting, review and negotiation of international construction contracts and imports and exports of major equipment contracts. She has advised clients on projects in Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa in such areas as railway, locomotive, minerals, power and other energy and infrastructure sectors.

Wang Xin, Dispute Resolution

Wang Xin focuses on M&A financing, real estate, disposal of non-performing assets, etc. Having been deeply engaged in the southwest legal market for many years, Mr. Wang has accumulated a wealth of experience in advising on real estate development, investment in and financing of real estate projects, financial assets M&A, corporate, M&A and restructuring, liquidation and disposal of financial claims and debts, dispute settlement involving atypical and defective warranties, dispute resolution & litigation, among others. He joined KWM at the end of 2020. Thanks to his deep understanding of the legal market environment of Chongqing, he earns a good reputation and rich client resources locally.

Li Baoshan, Dispute Resolution

Li Baoshan specializes in civil and commercial litigation, arbitration and enforcement, corporate debt crisis resolution, etc. He has gained profound social connections and practice experience in his more than 20 years of dispute resolution experience. His understanding of the judgment thinking and the workflow of courts and arbitration institutions enabled him to provide reasonable and pragmatic solutions for clients. Prior to joining KWM, Mr. Li had been working as a judge entertaining hundreds of civil and commercial cases in the court system for nearly 15 years. After joining KWM, Mr. Li has provided legal services for a number of large SOEs, well-known listed companies and private companies. He is well trusted by his clients.

"We are delighted to announce that Chongqing office is open for business." said Zhang Yi, Chairman of KWM China Management Committee, "We wouldn't make it happen without the strong support from leaders at all levels in the Chongqing municipality and Liangjiang New Area and our clients. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to you all. The establishment of Chongqing Office is an important step in our response to a series of national strategies underscored by the central government, such as further construction of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, the new western land-sea corridor and inland international financial centers. Chongqing office will continue KWM's high-quality service and client-centric philosophy. With KWM's strong legal service network and platforms spanning major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou and even the whole world, Chongqing office will further contribute to the development of existing and new clients in the Southwestern region by taking root in the local market of Chongqing and fully tapping KWM's global resources, which will help propel the regional development momentum and comprehensive competitiveness."