Stephenson Harwood has entered into a strategic alliance arrangement with Wei Tu, a Guangzhou-based law firm, shortly after it closed its base in the southern Chinese city in September.

Wei Tu has been founded by Xiaoming Lu, a former partner with Stephenson Harwood in Guangzhou, and he will head the new office.

Stephenson Harwood currently has three offices across the Great China region, in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Its Guangzhou office was set up in 1994, but was closed this year due to the “changing business conditions” according to the firm.

 ”I am very pleased to announce this alliance with Wei Tu,” said Voon Keat Lai, Stephenson Harwood’s managing partner for Greater China, in a statement. “We are seeing increasing demand from our clients for expertise in PRC law and an alliance with a firm we trust enables us to provide our clients with a consistent approach.”