Salans puts faith in Shanghai as it pulls out of Beijing

Salans’ partners voted to close the representative office, which opened in 2008 (28 May 2008), at the end of March. The firm has since begun the de-registration process with the Chinese authorities, but no date has been set for the office’s closure.

Five people work in Salans’ Beijing office, though only one – managing counsel Aiping Bao– is full time. Bao is expected to relocate to Shanghai and the firm said it is “discussing future options” with the rest of the staff.

According to a spokesperson for Salans, the firm’s decision not to carry on in Beijing was down to client activity remaining centered on Shanghai.

“Shanghai has always been a priority for our business in China, and the central hub of our business in the region,” said the spokesperson. “We’ll be focusing our Chinese operations in this increasingly important global financial centre, reflecting the importance our clients – both domestic Chinese businesses and international investors – place in the city.”

Shanghai is Salans’ largest and oldest office in China, established in 2003 and with around 15 fee-earners and 37 staff in total.

No decision has been taken as to the future of Salans’ Hong Kong office, which houses 10 fee-earners and around 28 staff in total.