Chinese firm Fangda Partners has launched an investment protection in Hong Kong, where it operates in association with Peter Yuen & Co., after hiring arbitration specialist Olga Boltenko as a partner.

Boltenko has had a varied career involving stints with law firms and other bodies across Europe and Asia. She has worked with White & Case in Paris, Clifford Chance in Singapore, King & Wood Mallesons in Hong Kong, and the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.

With a focus is on investment arbitration and trade, Boltenko has more than 10 years of experience in representing investors and sovereign states in investment disputes and investment protection advisory matters. She has appeared before World Bank and UNCITRAL, and has acted as tribunal secretary in both ad hoc and institutional commercial disputes.

Boltenko currently chairs the ICC’s Hong Kong Commercial Law and Practice Committee. She is listed as an arbitrator on the HKIAC list of arbitrators, and on the AIAC and CIETAC panels of arbitrators

Fangda launches its investment protection practice at a time when there is a growing demand for such services stemming from investments related to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The practice aims to cater to Chinese and international clients investing in the BRI area.

Fangda’s Hong Kong disputes team is led by Peter Yuen. Other disputes partners in Hong Kong include Andrew Skudder, who was previously with Freshfields, and Damien McDonald, who joined from Herbert Smith Freehills.

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