Belt and Road Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a significant development strategy launched by the Chinese Government with the intention of promoting economic co-operation among countries along the proposed Belt and Road routes.

It is a major driver for investment in land and sea-based connectivity from China to major markets around the globe. With a focus on energy and transport infrastructure, BRI sees Chinese companies work with government and private enterprises in each region to finance and deliver new projects.

At the forefront of BRI

Our lawyers have long been supporting Chinese companies on their outbound investments, guiding them on increasingly sophisticated investment structures. We actively engage our clients in discussions; bringing our experience to assist them in capitalising on these opportunities. We provide a full spectrum of services throughout the life cycle of projects, including investment, contracts, project development and financing, disputes resolution and compliance. Our experience spans the infrastructure and energy sectors.

With specialist infrastructure lawyers worldwide, our work on BRI dates back to the early days of the Initiative. We have advised on one of the first BRI projects to completion, the Thar II coal mine and power project in Pakistan. This project was widely recognised in the industry and was awarded "Deal of the Year - Belt & Road" by China Business Law Journal in 2016. Since this time, we have consistently received annual awards for our work in BRI projects.

In 2021, we co-authored ASEAN and Belt and Road Initiative - Connectivity through Legal and Commerce which was published by the Singapore Academy of Law.

Our expertise and awards include:

• Top tier rankings for Construction, Projects, Infrastructure and Energy (Chambers 2023 and Legal 500 2023)
• Leading law firm in China: Construction & infrastructure, China Business Law Journal Awards 2022
• Energy and Resources Law Firm of the Year, ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2020
• Energy & Infrastructure Team of the Year, Legal Business Awards 2019
• China Firm of the Year in Energy & Natural Resources, International Arbitration and Projects and Project Financing in the In-House Community Awards 2021
• Hong Kong Firm of the Year in Real Estate/Construction, International Arbitration, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Asian-mena Counsel 2019
• Deal of the Year – Belt and Road, 1000MW wind projects in Uzbekistan, China Business Law Journal 2022
• Deal of the Year – Belt and Road, design and development of electric vehicle-manufacturing complex in Saudi Arabia, China Business Law Journal 2022
• Multiple awards to $1 billion project financing of an integrated stainless steel plant in Indonesia
• National award: one of 35 landmark cases in 2022 for Chinese enterprises in "Global Development Advancement" category
• Project Finance Deal of the Year, ALB China Law Awards 2021
• APAC Mining Deal of the Year, Asia Pacific IJGlobal Awards 2022
• Belt and Road Deal of the Year, CBLJ China Business Law Award 2021
• Deal of the Year (honorable mention), In-House Community Awards 2021
• Shortlisted in FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia Pacific 2021 - Practice of law - liquidity & finance

• Overseas Deal of the Year, Mexico City's Subway Line Construction Project, China Business Law Journal 2020
• Deal of the Year – Belt and Road, Red Sea Tourism Mega Project in Saudi Arabia, China Business Law Journal 2020
• Deal of the Year – Belt and Road, Greece's MINOS 50MW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Project, China Business Law Journal 2019
• Deal of the Year – Belt and Road, Nigeria's Railway and Warri Sea Port Project, China Business Law Journal 2019
• Project Finance Deal of the Year, recognising the work done by Pinsent Masons' China and Middle East teams on the US$4.3 billion Noor Energy 1 solar project, International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Middle East Awards 2019
• No.1 in Belt and Road deals according to a research by The Lawyer 2017