Image of Li Chen

Li Chen

Registered Foreign Lawyer

Email

li.chen@aoshearman.com

Phone

+86 10 5922 8008

+852 2978 8006

Offices

Hong Kong SAR

V-CARD
Li’s expertise spans a broad range of M&A, corporate and private equity matters, particularly in Greater China and China-related investments around the world.

Li has represented numerous major Chinese and international corporations, financial institutions and investment funds on their cross-border transactions including foreign direct and outbound investments, public and private M&A transactions, private equity and venture capital investments, joint ventures, strategic alliances, buyouts and take privates, asset disposals and reorganizations.

Her experience covers a wide range of industries including power and renewable, financial services, healthcare, industrials, infrastructure, mining and metals, retail and consumer and technology, media and telecommunications.

Li is also actively involved in advising clients on regulatory and compliance issues encountered on M&A transactions such as export control, anti-corruption compliance, CFIUS national security reviews, IP licensing, antitrust and sanctions matters.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • China Telecommunications Corporation on its joint venture with Udenna Corporation with respect to the joint venture’s telecommunications project in the Philippines. This deal—a nationwide greenfield telecom project in a country with a population of more than 100 million—is a very rare opportunity around the globe. DITO Telecommunity Corporation, the joint venture, as borrower on the $3.9 billion long-term financing of its Philippines-wide 4G/5G-ready telecommunication network project, one of the largest project financed telecoms deals in Asia to date. Both deals won “Deal of the Year” awards in various prestigious legal directories.
  • Investcorp in its major investments in health care industries in China.
  • Mubadala in several major investments in China in various industries.
  • Leyou Technologies Holdings Limited (HKSE: 1089) in connection with its US$1.5 billion take private proposal by Image Frame Investment (HK) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent Holdings Limited (HKSE:700).
  • KME SE, one of the largest international producers of semi-finished copper and copper alloy products in connection with the sale of its equity interest in the Hong Kong-based joint venture with Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group Inc., one of the world’s largest precise copper tube manufacturers based in China. 
  • VNET in connection with its US$299 million strategic investment from Shandong Hi-Speed Holdings Group Limited (HKSE: 00412).
  • TPG Asia Capital in its acquisition of Abengoa S.A.’s transmission assets in Brazil.
  • China-LAC Cooperation Fund in its investment in São Simão operating hydro power assets in Brazil.
  • A Chinese State-owned company in its investment in one of the largest iron ore producers in Africa.
  • Huadian Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. in an IP license transaction with a U.S. company.
  • China Sincere Group in various financing transactions.
  • Sichuan Tengzhong in its attempted acquisition of Hummer business from GM.
  • Huawei in its bid of certain assets of Nortel in bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Abengoa Solar in its establishment of Sino-foreign joint ventures with PRC State-owned companies and project companies.
  • Nokia in its divestment of networks related business in China.
  • Nokia Siemens Networks in the merger of Nokia and Siemens’s networks businesses in China and establishment of a holding company in China.
  • China Aviation Industry Corporation in its acquisition of FACC, a European airplane components manufacturing company.
  • China Mobile Communications Corporation in its establishment of a joint R&D center with Vodafone, SoftBank and Verizon.
  • Hong Kong listed United Energy Group Limited in connection with its US$215 million investment in Houston-based Transmeridian Exploration Inc.
  • China Mobile Communications Corporation in its acquisition of Paktel Limited, a telecommunication company in Pakistan.
  • Huawei Technologies in connection with its joint venture with Symantec.
  • Huawei Technologies in the sale of its interest in H3C, a joint venture formed by Huawei Technologies and 3Com Corporation, to 3Com Corporation.
  • Hunan Valin Steel Tube & Wire Co., Ltd. in its joint venture with Lone Star Technologies, Inc.
  • Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. in its joint venture with 3Com Corporation to form Huawei-3Com Co., Ltd. 
  • Jiangxi Copper in its acquisition of a 50% equity in Nesko Metal, a copper mining company with assets in Turkey and Albania. (previous firm experience)
  • CDB-RW PE Fund in its acquisition of a German-headquartered multinational medical device company. (previous firm experience)
  • Lukoil in its sale to Sinopec of a 50% equity interest in Caspian Investment Resources, which owns and operates oil assets in Kazakhstan. (previous firm experience)
  • Haichang Group, one of China’s largest theme park operators, in its business restructuring and sale of a minority interest to Hony Capital. Also represented the same company in its subsequent Hong Kong IPO as lead international counsel and U.S. counsel. (previous firm experience)
  • A sovereign wealth fund in its acquisition of industrial property assets in Japan. (previous firm experience)
  • China Mobile in its joint bid with Vodafone for a telecom operation license in Burma. (previous firm experience)
  • State Grid International Development in its proposed acquisition of certain operating wind power assets in the U.S. from AES. (previous firm experience)
  • State Grid International Development in its refinancing for certain power transmission assets in Brazil. (previous firm experience)

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, Accelerating Growth through M&A, PwC Philippines and Villaraza & Angangco, 2024
  • Speaker, Young Lawyers Program, Shearman & Sterling, August 2020

Recognition

“Chen Li provides thoughtful, business-savvy advice while also being highly knowledgeable about the PRC issues.”
Chambers Greater China Region, 2022
“Li Chen and her team are very dedicated, with rich industry experience and profound legal knowledge, and can always give clients comprehensive support.”
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2021

Awards

  • Leading Lawyer for Corporate/M&A: Mainland China-based (International Firms) in China, Chambers Greater China Region, 2024
  • Leading Individual for Private Equity in China, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024
  • Recommended Lawyer for Corporate (including M&A) in China and Hong Kong, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024
  • Leading Lawyer for Corporate/M&A: Mainland China-based (International Firms) in China, Chambers Greater China Region, 2023
  • Recommended Lawyer for Corporate (including M&A) and Private Equity in China and Hong Kong, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2023
  • Leading Lawyer for Corporate/M&A: Mainland China-based (International Firms) in China, Chambers Greater China Region, 2022

Qualifications

Admissions

New York, 2005

Academic

B.A., Beijing Normal University, 1997
LL.B., Tsinghua University, 2001
LL.M., Sohmen Scholar, Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University, 2002

Languages

English, Mandarin Chinese
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.