Hogan Lovells has entered into a formal association with 170-lawyer Fujian Fidelity in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

It follows a similar move by Baker & McKenzie and FenXun Partners last year, which became the first international and PRC law firms to enter into a joint operation in the trade zone.

Hogan Lovells already has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The latest association adds seven offices to its Asia network.

Hogan Lovells partners Andrew McGinty and Zhen Feng will be responsible for managing the relationship with the Chinese firm.

The Shanghai Free Trade Zone was set up as part of new rules that allow foreign law firms in China to team up with local firms.

Asia remains a key part of Hogan Lovells’ strategy, with the firm entering into an association with Indonesia firm Dewi Negara Fachi & Partners (DNFP) in June, eight months after ending its previous alliance in the region.