It will integrate “international and PRC legal advice, initially in cross-border M&A and corporate, banking and finance, disputes, competition, capital markets and financial services regulatory”, HSF said in a statement.

“The firm becomes one of only six international law firms permitted to integrate China law advice with international legal services through the joint operation model based in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.”

HSF’s 30-year China practice is “strong with plenty of room to grow”, the firm’s Asia executive partner Justin D’Agostino said.

“This new licence will transform our business in the mainland and signals our long-term commitment to China.”

The two firms have been working together for some time, and the partnership has been well received, the firm noted.

“We have already attracted instructions on billion-dollar matters from some of the largest companies operating in China,” said Greater China managing partner May Tai.

“Adding Kewei to our highly rated Mainland practice completes our offering in Greater China, and clients have responded very positively.”

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“Kewei Law Firm has been recognised as a pacesetter for high-quality service in the Shanghai legal sector for many years," added Kewei founding partner Wenbao Xu.

“As founder, I’ve been pleased to witness every success of the firm to date and am excited about this latest development onto an international platform.”

“Both firms would like to thank the Bureau of Justice in Shanghai for approving this partnership," said Kewei partner Stanley Xie.

“Given initial demand, our team is already expecting further growth in both our business and our legal talent.”