China - Lawyer Monthly

Hogan Lovells Expands M&A Practice in China with New Partners

Michelle Thomas — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:14:58 +0000

Hogan Lovells Expands M&A Practice in China with New Partners.

Global law firm Hogan Lovells is expanding its corporate practice in Greater China with the addition of two well-known dealmakers, David Wang and Meka Meng, who join from Paul Hastings.

David Wang brings over two decades of experience advising on complex cross-border transactions in China, with a practice covering acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, and securities offerings.

At Paul Hastings, he played a central role in developing the firm’s China platform, leading the Shanghai and Beijing offices for more than 15 years and building them into significant and well-regarded practices.

Looking ahead to his new role, David Wang said he’s energized by the move:

“Having spent much of my career building teams and advising on complex cross-border M&A, I am thrilled to bring that experience to one of the top firms globally. The firm’s ambition to grow its corporate practice in Greater China and across Asia resonates strongly with me, and I look forward to collaborating with colleagues in China and internationally to shape that next chapter.”

In Beijing, Meka Meng focuses on private equity fund formation, investment transactions, offshore investment management, and joint ventures. His practice also covers outbound investments and venture capital, giving Hogan Lovells a deeper bench in areas that are increasingly important to clients navigating fast-changing markets.

Meka Meng said the chance to join a global platform was a big part of his decision:

“Joining Hogan Lovells is a tremendous opportunity to bring my experience to a truly global platform. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues in Greater China and across the global network to help clients achieve their strategic investment goals."

The addition of Wang and Meng is part of a larger push by Hogan Lovells to grow its transactional strength in Asia. In recent months, the firm has added talent across Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, signaling its long-term commitment to the region.

James Doyle, who leads the firm’s Corporate & Finance practice, described the hires as a natural extension of that strategy:

“This move is a significant step forward in our strategy to grow our offering in Greater China alongside the other recent investments that we have made in our transactional practice in other parts of the APAC region, including Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore. David and Meka's deep local insights and distinguished track record will further strengthen our existing team."

Hogan Lovells is a global law firm with over 2,600 lawyers across six continents, offering top-tier legal services in complex litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters. Known for its deep industry knowledge and cross-border capabilities, the firm partners with clients to solve their toughest legal challenges and drive strategic growth. Hogan Lovells serves major players in life sciences, financial services, technology, energy, and beyond, combining local insight with global reach.

Latham & Watkins Advises on CaoCao’s HK$1.85B Hong Kong IPO

Natalie Sherman — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:52:15 +0000

Latham & Watkins Advises on CaoCao’s HK$1.85B Hong Kong IPO.

Latham & Watkins has advised the joint sponsors and underwriters in connection with CaoCao Inc.’s successful listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. CaoCao, a prominent ride-hailing platform in China, was originally developed by Geely Group, the well-known automotive company behind brands like Volvo and Polestar.

The IPO offered 44.18 million shares at a price of HK$41.94 per share, raising approximately HK$1.85 billion.

Huatai International, ABC International, and GF Securities acted as joint sponsors, working alongside CICC, with the group serving in multiple roles including global coordinators, bookrunners, and lead managers.

Latham’s team advising on the transaction was led by partners Daying Zhang, Terris Tang, and Benjamin Su in Hong Kong. They were supported by associates Chimmy Tao, Weigang Meng, Jovi Cheng, and Lizzy Zhang, along with foreign legal consultants Xiang Ao, Ziyue Li, and Manyu Tian, and senior paralegal Candy Mak.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding) is a leading global mobility technology company headquartered in Hangzhou, China. Founded in 1986, it entered the automotive industry in 1997 and has since grown into a Fortune Global 500 company. Geely owns and operates a portfolio of well-known brands including Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Lotus, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr. The group is also active in commercial vehicles, ride-hailing (CaoCao Mobility), and advanced technologies such as autonomous driving, satellite networks, and onboard chips. With operations across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, Geely Holding combines manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability to shape the future of smart mobility worldwide.

Latham & Watkins LLP is a leading global law firm known for its expertise in corporate, litigation, and transactional law. With over 2,000 attorneys in 14 countries, the firm advises clients across a wide range of industries, including technology, healthcare, finance, and energy. Founded in 1934, Latham & Watkins is renowned for its work with emerging companies, offering legal solutions for startups and growth-stage businesses. The firm’s Emerging Companies & Growth team helps navigate complex legal matters related to business formation, financing, and scaling, making it a trusted partner for innovative companies worldwide.

Linklaters Advises on HK$7.75 Billion Bond Deal for Sinopec Group

Izabel Modano — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:23:32 +0000

Linklaters Advises on HK$7.75 Billion Bond Deal for Sinopec Group.

Linklaters has advised the sole lead manager on the HK$7.75 billion exchangeable bond issuance by China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), one of the largest such offerings by a Chinese issuer in recent years.

The bonds, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, are exchangeable into H shares of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation.

It’s one of the largest deals of its kind by a Chinese company in recent years, and an important step in Sinopec Group’s strategy to refinance its offshore debt.

The transaction stood out not just for its scale but also for the way it was structured.

Linklaters worked closely with the client to craft a tailored financing solution that met complex regulatory and market demands, highlighting the firm’s strong track record in handling equity-linked deals across the region.

The team was led by capital markets partners Hanwen Yu, Taiki Ki, and Min Fang, with support from solicitors Lily Wang and Jun Tang.

Additional expertise came from across the firm: financial regulation partner Carl Fernandes, corporate partners Roger Cheng and Donnelly Chan, and litigation counsel Michael Lamson all contributed to different aspects of the transaction.

China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group) is a state-owned energy and chemical giant based in Beijing. As one of the world’s largest integrated oil and gas companies, it operates across the full energy value chain—from exploration and refining to petrochemicals and retail. It is the parent of Sinopec Corp., the world’s largest oil refiner by capacity. Sinopec is also expanding into clean energy, including hydrogen and carbon capture, to support China’s transition to a low-carbon future.

Linklaters is a global law firm recognized for its deep expertise in banking, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution. Operating in over 21 countries, the firm advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments across the world’s major financial hubs. With nearly 200 years of experience, Linklaters has built a reputation for navigating clients through complex commercial, economic, and regulatory change. The firm is also known for its leadership in innovation, diversity, and sustainability, continuing to shape the future of the legal industry.