Pinsent Masons advises China State Construction International on the Qianhai Project

Located in South China's Guangdong province, the Greater Bay Area is a strategically important economic zone in southern China. The Qianhai Project, being developed by a consortium of China State Construction International, Arcadis and Aecom, is a high-profile commercial development which will support financial, logistics, and IT activity between the southern metropolis of Shenzhen and Hong Kong SAR.

The team at Pinsent Masons was led by Construction and Disputes partner Alvin Ho working alongside Infrastructure partners Bernard Ang, Mark Hu and supported by senior associates Hinson Cheung and Isabelle Chan.

Commenting on the project, Alvin Ho said: "Our team comprising lawyers from Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai are very pleased to have this opportunity to be involved in this significant and strategically important Qianhai Project. It is an honour for us to help to promote and deepen the co-operation and synergy between Hong Kong SAR and mainland China. This project is a perfect demonstration of Pinsent Masons’ capability in the Great Bay Area and our reputation as go-to firm when it comes to landmark infrastructure development and construction projects for Chinese state-owned contractors.”

Pinsent Masons will advise Qianhai Board on contractual agreements for the Qianhai Project as well as advising on a new construction dispute resolution mechanism, designed specifically for the contracts relating to the development.

This landmark project sets precedents in the market as it’s Chinese government’s effort to attract Hong Kong contractors to enter into the mainland market by adopting contracts and procurement methods commonly adopted in Hong Kong, but within the confines of Chinese law.