REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Rong Fan
Energy Maritime and Customs
Acted on behalf of the Liberian government and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), collaborating with a Chinese law firm to represent clients before the Nanjing Maritime Court in a dispute involving Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and its affiliates. Achieved a landmark judgment in favour of LISCR in October 2025 pursuant to the Foreign State Immunity Law of the People’s Republic of China, marking the first judicial interpretation and application of this statute since its enactment on January 1, 2024.
Provided counsel to a shipping company on storage, delivery, and bunkering operations for green fuels in Shanghai, including advice on related tax matters.
Advised a Dutch corporation on the importation of used cartridges into China, including obtaining multiple regulatory approvals in the PRC and providing guidance regarding PRC customs compliance.
Regulatory Compliance
Advised a prominent US fireworks manufacturer in connection with the export of fireworks and other dangerous goods from China to the United States, including advising on PRC maritime law, port and customs, and applications for Carrier’s Licence etc.
Working with the firm’s Regulatory, Policy and Trade Groups to advise a Chinese-based leading EV manufacture regarding the CHIPS and Science Act and related matters.
Advised a China-headquartered technology conglomerate with regard to China’s policy on the domestication of IT products in public sectors, known as the Xinchuang Policy.
Worked with the firm’s Regulatory, Policy and Trade Groups to advise a China-headquartered technology conglomerate with regard to setting up data centres in Malaysia from an US law perspective.
Working with Australian colleagues to advise CoinPal Limited on whether an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) will be required for this company’s on/off - ramp model that include an assessment of whether any additional AFSL authorisations or other licences may be necessary for such activities.
Cross-border M&A and General Corporate
Represented a Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX)-listed company to acquire a majority stake in a leading early learning education group which operates in 46 locations in Australia.
Acted for an SOE as an EPC contractor to develop a 62-story apartment tower in Melbourne, Victoria that involved negotiations with the owner of the project and review and draft the project development and construction agreement and other related documents.
Represented COOEC Subsea technology Co., Ltd regarding its Vessel Purchase from EMAS CHIYODA SUBSEA LIMITED and their creditors through US bankruptcy proceedings.
Represented COSCO Shipping and Lianyungang Port in regard to acquiring a 49% of the participating interests in the Khorgos Dry Port project owned by KTZ in the Republic of Kazakhstan that involved negotiating and drafting the relevant transaction documents. This deal was awarded "Deals of the Year 2017 – Winners" by Asian-mena Counsel.
Represented Shenzhen Baoxin Investment Holdings, a Shenzhen-listed company, as EPC contractor in connection with its undertaking of the project in the Mornington Peninsular in Victoria, Australia which consists of golf courses, golf academy, 4-star hotels, luxury houses and up market serviced apartments.
Represented a Chinese construction and engineering company in connection with providing finance for a power station project in Basra, Iraq.
Represented Dutch buyers of a Chinese printing cartridge company in regard to the purchase of assets of a Hong Kong subsidiary of the Chinese printing cartridge company.
Represented Shanghai Electric Financial Leasing Corporation in relation to the issuance of UK legal opinion to Standard Chartered Bank (China) Ltd Shanghai branch on enforceability of the Remarketing Agreement between Shanghai Electric Leasing Corporation, Standard Chartered Bank Shanghai branch and Goss International, as well as the master lease agreement between Shanghai Electric Leasing Corporation and a UK printing company.
Represented Shanghai Electric Financial Leasing Corporation in relation to the leasing of a printing machine (cost AU$110 million) to a leading publisher in Australia.
Advised an Australian bank's China JV with regard to preparing due diligence investigation materials in connection with a property financing project in the Chinese city of Dalian.
Mining and Resources / Outbound Work
Representing a NYSE-listed corporation in connection with dealing with its Chinese JV partners and corporate governance related matters, as well as selling its 25% shares in a leading PRC steel manufacturer to a PRC centrally administered SOE.
Represented a Shenzhen Stock Exchange-listed company to invest in lithium mines in Australia that involved reviewing Due Diligence Report, FIRB Application, Share Sales Subscription Agreement, Offtake Agreement, Mining Services Agreement, etc.
Assisted CMOC to review the due diligence report in connection with certain mining rights in Solomon Islands.
Represented a Chinese company with regard to its investment in a copper mine project in Mongolia.
Represented Hanglong Mining Limited with regard to its investment in Moly Mines Limited.
Advised a state-owned company from China that manages metals like aluminum and copper in regard to its acquisition of a 12% stake in a global mining group and the proposed joint venture and strategic partnership with the global mining group to deliver US$19.5 billion in cash to the global mining group.
Acted for Sinosteel with a view to conducting due diligence investigations on behalf of Sinosteel in connection with its acquisition of a 60% stake in the Curnamona Province project owned by PepinNini Minerals Limited.
Foreign Direct Investment / PRC Regulatory Compliance
Advised a US investor to set up two Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprises (WFOEs) in China with a view to trading secondhand mobile phones with Apple.
Represented a NYSE-listed corporation specializes in forged and cast engineered products and air and liquid processing, in connection with a cybersecurity related dispute against its former legal counsel, an international law firm headquartered in China and Australia.
Represented a composite material manufacturer listed on the NYSE in dealing with its China JV partners in connection with a variety of corporate governance related issues, as well as to advise this client regarding the sale of its equity interest in a joint venture (JV) and subsequent liquidation of this JV.
Represented a composite material manufacturer listed on the NYSE in connection with a variety of corporate and banking related matters concerning its WFOEs in China.
Advised a composite material manufacturer listed on the NYSE to structure the reduction of the registered capital of its WFOE in Tianjin by US$10 million with an accelerated timeframe.
Represented a composite material manufacturer listed on the NYSE to establish a number of foreign-invested enterprises in China, provided relevant legal advice and drafted a series of related documents.
Acted for a Swedish company regarding the due diligence investigation in connection with the proposed acquisition of the target company’s China WFOEs and prepare a due diligence report.
Acted for a Swedish company regarding the acquisition of the equity interests of the minority equity holder in a WFOE in Suzhou, China.
Acted for a former NED of an HKEX in connection with the investigation being carried out by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
Represented a Dutch company to set up a manufacturing WFOE in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province.
Acted for an HVAC company to form a JV with a number of leading Chinese companies in Wuxi, China.
Advised Rolls Royce with regard to the sale of its shares in Rolls Royce's PRC WFOE's parent company and related PRC regulatory filings.
Represented a UK statutory body, which is a UK age care specialist organisation with a view to forming a partnership with a PRC health and age care provider in the PRC that involves drafting cooperation agreement and negotiations with counterparties.
Represented Off-Grid Electric with regard to PRC employment law related matters in China and its engagement of FESCO to provide labour dispatch services that involved amending and negotiating the employment contract and other related documents prepared by FESCO’s counsels.
Advised PZ Cussons Australia on PRC regulatory related requirements with regard to approvals, certifications, testing, labelling for its proposed importing cosmetics and laundry detergents, as well as IPR related issues.
Represented a UK investor with regard to setting up a WFOE in Hohhot in Inner Mongolia under complicated corporate and board structures.
Represented Royal Mail Group in regard to forming an online storefront with Tmall.com.
Advised Travelodge Hotels Limited with regard to a general distribution agreement between Ctrip and Travelodge Hotels Limited.
Advised the National Nuclear Laboratory with regard to providing civil nuclear consultation services and sale of civil nuclear energy technologies to PRC entities.
Advised National Australia Bank (NAB) in regard to setting up NAB's Shanghai branch.
Advised Evans & Peck in conducting in respect of setting up Foreign-Invested Construction Enterprises for that company, which involved discussions and negotiations with provincial regulators regulating the construction industry and other relevant authorities, devising investment strategies and structures for its investment in China.
Advised Permasteelisa in regard to the subcontracting of construction work to a third party in the PRC.
Advised Iluka Resources Ltd on the importation of radioactive materials into China.
Acted for American investors with regard to conducting due diligence investigations for the purposes of acquiring a number of gold, nickel and iron ore mines in China that involved site investigation and inspection of the mines, discussions with mine management, negotiations with Chinese mine owners and regulators and preparing due diligence report and drafting transaction documentation.
Represented an Australian private college on the proposed establishment of the Victorian Certificate of Education program in China.
Capital Markets
Advised a Hong Kong company from an Australian law perspective (it has an Australia operation) with regard to its listing on the HKEX.
Advised a HKEX-listed Chinese company on its dealing with regulatory compliance investigations being conducted by the Securities and Futures Commission and HKSE.
Served as issuer’s Hong Kong counsel to a construction and engineering company on its US$500 million IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Acted as the sponsor’s Hong Kong counsel in regard to the proposed listing on the HKSE that involved drafting prospectus, conducting due diligence investigations in relation to the issuer’s businesses including its sales, purchases and supplies and providing regular advice to the client in respect of the issues arising during the listing process.
Advised Yunnan Tin Company on its joint venture with an Australian mining company, as well as advised on the subsequent issuance of the prospectus, and related matters, and preparation for IPO in Australia.
Healthcare
Advised a NASDAQ-listed US pharmaceutical company on the establishment of a WFOE in China and provided ongoing corporate, commercial, and regulatory advice, including advice on clinical trial-related matters regulated by the Human Genetic Resources Administration of China.
Advised an Australia and New Zealand headquartered medical device company to form a JV with its PRC partner in China.
Represented a PRC-based private equity firm on its investment in a Beijing-based medical equipment company with a view to acquiring the R&D department of an Italian sports prosthetic device manufacturer.
Represented a major Chinese pharmaceutical company which is listed on the SZSE with regard to synthesizing drugs for Neuroscience of Victoria and Howard Florey Institute in Australia.
Advised a major Chinese pharmaceutical company on the proposed joint venture with an ASX and NASDAQ dual-listed biotech company in Australia for the purposes of conducting clinical trials in China for drugs in relation to age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
