Ashurst and Chinese “best friend” Guantao Law Firm have launched a joint operation office in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, making the Anglo-Australian firm the fourth global player to gain Chinese law access through the four-year-old scheme.

Through the FTZ joint office with 750-lawyer Guantao, Ashurst is now able to offer its clients one-stop legal services, including Chinese law capability. The deal demonstrates Ashurst’s full commitment to further growth in the Greater China region, said managing partner Paul Jenkins.