Morrison & Foerster, Fenwick & West and Shearman & Sterling are starring in China’s state-owned Tsinghua Holdings Co’s $1.78 billion acquisition of Chinese cellphone chip designer Spreadtrum Communications Inc.

Jones Day has strengthened its banking and finance team with the hire of Michelle Taylor as a partner at its Hong Kong office.

As shown by the recent Suntech saga, renewable energy companies based in the greater China region are struggling against onerous debt burdens amid increasing concerns about the industry. While it will meet its energy needs through coal in the short term, China is looking to emulate the U.S. and has launched its own foray into its shale gas sector. However, several technological, environmental and regulatory challenges stand in China’s path. Kanishk Verghese reports. Additional reporting by Chen Aizhu at Reuters

Sullivan & Cromwell is advising China Mengniu Dairy on its proposed acquisition of Carlyle-backed Yashili International Holdings in a deal worth about HK$12.5 billion ($1.6 billion).

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised China’s Alibaba Group on a financing of $8 billion to refinance its existing debts.

K&L Gates has hired Virginia Tam as a corporate partner at its Hong Kong office, along with dispute resolution specialist Sacha Cheong and IP expert Soheui Choe as counsel at its Hong Kong and Seoul offices respectively.

Four international law firms are advising on China’s Shuanghaui International’s proposal to buy U.S.-based Smithfield Foods Inc for $4.7 billion.

Mayer Brown JSM has advised Langham Hospitality Investments, an investment trust controlled by property developer Great Eagle Holdings, on its $550 million IPO on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton has expanded its Asia intellectual property practice with the hire of Scott Palmer as a partner at its Beijing office.

Macau law firm MdME has boosted its banking and finance practice with the hire of Beatriz Segorbe as a partner.