Hong Kong-based Fongs Lawyers, Beijing-headquartered Zhong Yin Law Firm, and Macau’s Rato, Ling, Lei & Cortes (Lektou) have launched a joint legal venture in China’s Hengqin Free Trade Zone. The new alliance – the first of its kind in mainland China – will be based in the city of Zhuhai and will focus on corporate, M&A as well as banking and finance as its primary areas of practice.

The JLV, which will bring together over 1,000 lawyers, was established under the framework of the Hengqin FTZ’s Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and the subsequent Guandong Agreement.

The move is the next step in Fongs’ efforts to go global, which comes after it set up an international department earlier this year, according to a statement from the firm.