Yao Chen

Work Highlights

• Advised CapitaLand Retail on its sales of 20 shopping malls located in different cities in the PRC to SCPG and Vanke;

• Advised CITIC Pacific and China Shipbuilding Corporation on the custom sale/pre-sale of many office buildings in Lujiazui Financial Center (Phase II) as headquarters to well-acknowledged international financial institutions, e.g., ICBC Bank, UOB, Industrial Bank, China Life, etc.;

• Advised D&J Group on the strategic co-investment and Series A &B financing in the industrial platform with Warburg Pincus and the subsequent investments in workshops located in Zhangjiang, Lin’gang, Jin’shan of Shanghai, Nanjing, Changzhou, Kunshan, Huaqiao and their daily operation;

• Advised China Life on the set-up of warehousing & logistics RMB core funds with Cainiao Network and the subsequent acquisitions of the warehousing logistics asset portfolio owned by Cainiao Network;

• Advised CBRE Global Investors on the acquisition of warehousing and logistics portfolio in many regions in China, including Greater Bay Area, Yangtze River Delta Area, Northern China Area etc.;

• Advised Link Reits on the acquisition of the warehousing portfolio held by Dongbai Group located in the Yangtze River Delta Area;

• Advised a financial investor on the cooperation with Shui On Group and acquisition of Knowledge & Innovation Community (Project KIC) in Yangpu District, Shanghai;

• Advised China Life’s cooperation with China Resources Land and Shanghai Land, in a private equity fund with massive investment, which is targeted towards comprehensive and distinctive properties located at most vibrant and valuable Shanghai World Expo land parcel, including hotels, long-term rental apartments, commercial and office properties;

• Advised Carlyle Group on the strategic co-investment in the warehousing & logistics platform with Yupei Group and the subsequent investments relating to 17 warehousing & logistics asset portfolio and the related leasing, daily operation and management;

• Advised Carlyle Group on the acquisition of Shanghai Central Plaza, Shanghai Changxing Building, Suzhou IFC tower, Shanghai Rich Gate Retail shops and the Crest;

• Advised Morgan Stanley on the acquisition of Shanghai Plaza, Zhangjiang Zhanxiang Building and Shanghai Jinkaili Plaza;

• Advised Warburg Pincus on the cooperation with MiniCC Group regarding investment in mini-storage portfolio in China;

• Advised China Resources Land on its cooperation with Huafa Group regarding Shanghai Jin’an Project;

• Advised China Resources Land regarding its development and sale of several residential, commercial and hotel projects in areas such as Shanghai and Shandong, especially the cooperation between CR Land and OCT(华侨城, a resourceful state-owned tycoon in real estate development) to co-acquire land plot and co-develop Suhewan Project;

• Advised Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on the co-investment with Longfor Group, a giant real estate developer in China, in large commercial properties located in Suzhou, Chongqing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Nanjing;

• Advised Shanghai-Hong Kong United Holdings Limited on the acquisition of Shanghai Longyu International Business Plaza;

• Advised Kailong Group on the acquisition of a retail property in Laoximeng Shanghai;

• Advised Nova Group on the acquisition of Yinyi Mingyue Project (a retail property) in Shanghai;

• Advised ICBC International regarding its investment on Beijing Lize Financial Business District Project;

• Advised Starcrest on the acquisition of a data center project in Songjiang District, Shanghai;

• Advised Ping An Trust on the acquisition of Chengdu Central Point Project and Shanghai Xuhui Yuhui Yuan project;

• Advised Ping’an Life on the acquisition of Wuhan Tiandi developed by Shui On Group;

• Advised Ping’an Real Estate on the strategic investment in warehousing projects in China, including Kunshan, Liuyang, Changsha;

• Advised EBA on the acquisition of Minya Hotel in Shanghai;

• Advised GDS on its acquisitions of several IDC asset portfolio from Pangu Group, including IDC projects in Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and etc.;

• Advised Actis on its incorporation of JV platform with Chayora and subsequent investment in Tianjin IDC project;

• Advised Gaw Captial on its acquistion of a IDC project in Beijing,Suzhou, etc.;

• Advised Yovole Network on its acquisition of a IDC project in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, etc. ;

Languages Spoken

Chinese

English

Experience

Partner, Zhong Lun Law Firm

Legal Director, HuaZhong Real Estate

Practice Areas

Cross-border Investment/M&A, Private Equity & Investment Funds, Debt Restructuring & Non-performing Assets

Personal

As a partner of Zhong Lun Law Firm Shanghai Office, Ms. Ellen Chan has practiced law for over 20 years. Ms. Chan’s practice is mainly focused on real estate, new infrastructure, foreign direct investment, private equity investment, corporate restructuring, and project financing. She is well recognized for her real estate expertise in real estate and new infrastructure (particularly warehousing and logistics, new industrial parks and internet data centers).

Ms. Chan has extensive hands-on experience in various aspects of law and practice in real estate and new infrastructure in the PRC. Moreover, Ms. Chan has led or participated in many M&A and financing projects in both domestic and cross-border real estate sector. She is an expert on the transaction model and relevant legal practices in aspects including foreign acquisition and equity (or debt) restructuring. She has impressive expertise in spotting issues and provide solutions accordingly as well as lifting legal barriers. Ms. Chan has been and is currently advising many overseas funds, investment banks, trust companies and insurance companies in various real estate related projects and providing full and comprehensive legal services in all the stages. In addition, Ms. Chan has extensive experience in various areas of “new infrastructure”, including construction & infrastructure, energy and natural resources, logistics, industrial parks, internet data centers, etc.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Qualified as a PRC Lawyer in 1999