Proskauer Rose and Shearman & Sterling have taken lead advisory roles as French hotel chain Accor has sealed a deal with China’s Huazhu Hotels Group to operate a number of its brands in the PRC.

As part of the deal, Shanghai-based Huazhu, also known as China Lodging Group, will become the exclusive master-franchisee for all Accor’s economy and midscale hotels in mainland China, Mongolia and Taiwan, which include ibis, Novotel and Mercure, as well as for the upscale Grand Mercure.