Paul, Weiss said it played a central role in the lead up to the first ever hostile takeover bid by a foreign company in China. It’s client was a group of investors that started the takeover bid for Harbin Breweries, the fourth largest brewer and distributor of beer in China. Last week the takeover battle ended when foreign hostile bidder SABMiller agreed to sell its 29 per cent share in Harbin Breweries to Anheuser Busch. Paul, Weiss represented a group of financial investors that agreed to acquire a separate 29 per cent stake from the city government of Harbin. They then negotiated the sale of their stock to Anheuser Busch. The Paul, Weiss team was led by Jack Lange.

Pillsbury Winthrop represented Tenaska Virginia Partners, LP in connection with an offering by private placement of US$483.5 ($678.3) million aggregate principal amount of 6.119 per cent Senior Secured Bonds due 2024. Tenaska Virginia Partners, LP, an indirect affiliate of Tenaska Inc., is a special-purpose company formed to develop, own and operate an 885MW natural gas- and oil-fired generating plant in Fluvanna County, Virginia. Lehman Brothers and Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) acted as joint book running managers for the placement.

Linklaters has advised the underwriter Morgan Stanley on the public offering of Sino-Forest Corporation, a company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the largest foreign commercial forestry plantation operator in China. The public offering of C$92.75 ($95.3) million class A subordinate-voting shares at C$2.65 ($2.82) per share, also resulted in the issuance of an additional 35 million shares. The offering was sold to investors in Canada, and on a private placement basis in the US, Asia and elsewhere. Linklaters’ team based in Hong Kong was led by corporate partner Teresa Ma and banking consultant John Powell.