China
Clifford Chance appoints new head of Asia Pacific corporate practice
Clifford Chance has named Mark Shipman as the new head of its Asia Pacific corporate practice, replacing Roger Denny, who is stepping down after 10 years. Shipman will continue to lead the firm’s global funds and investment management practice, while...
Apax-owned Travelex to expand in China
Apax Partners-owned Travelex will expand its China footprint on becoming the first overseas operator to receive a nationwide foreign exchange license. The company plans to add a further 20 outlets in the next year to its current tally of 35, begin rolling...
Japan mulls bank rule change, prompts protectionist fears
The Japanese Government is considering altering regulations to allow banks to own larger stakes in Japanese companies, prompting fears of protectionism among the private equity community.
Freshfields promotes Shanghai PE lawyer to counsel
International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has promoted Christian Zeppezauer from its corporate practice in Shanghai to the role of counsel.
Shanghai VC firm launches JV with MicuRx Pharma
Shanghai Zhangjiang Biomedical Industry Venture Capital has formed a joint venture with MicuRx Pharma, a Sino-US bio-pharmaceutical company, to support the development and commercialization of antibiotic MRX-I for the Chinese market.
Guanxi secures Series A funding from SingTel Innov8
SingTel Innov8, the corporate venture capital arm of SingTel Group, has led a Series A round of funding in Guanxi, a mobile social network services (SNS) spin-off from Chinese mobile search and marketer mInfo.
VIDEO: Jack Lange of Paul Weiss
Economic uncertainty makes private equity investors wary but weak public markets in China are also creating opportunities, says Jack Lange, a partner in the corporate department at Paul Weiss
Shanghai allows offshore RMB to participate in private equity
Shanghai has reportedly given a green light for foreign players to invest in unlisted Chinese companies using renminbi capital raised offshore. The Renminbi Qualified Foreign Limited Partner (RQFLP) initiative is part of China’s efforts to promote the...
CapitaLand sets up $215m housing PE fund in China
Singapore developer CapitaLand has closed its first value housing private equity fund, which will invest in affordable residential developments in China. It has a corpus of S$264 million ($215 million).
CRCI sells Grant Achieve Global stake to Olympus Capital
China Renaissance Capital Investment (CRCI) and the chairman of Chinese water treatment firm Grant Achieve Global (GAG) have sold a 40% holding in the company to Olympus Capital Holdings Asia and Anoi, a Hong Kong-incorporated enterprise.
Cathay Fortune's Discovery Metals takeover bid turns hostile
Cathay Fortune Corporation (CFC), the private equity group founded by Chinese billionaire Yong Yu, has made a direct approach to Discovery Metals shareholders after the company's board rebuffed its A$830m ($856m) takeover bid.
FLAG buys Asian fund-of-funds Squadron Capital
Asia-focused fund-of-funds Squadron Capital has been sold to FLAG Capital Management. The acquisition will take US-based FLAG’s assets under management to $6 billion, up from $4.5 billion, and broaden its product offering across private equity, venture...
Ex-CIC real estate head to launch investment fund
The former global head of real estate at China Investment Corporation (CIC) has launched an independent investment fund. According to regulatory filings in Hong Kong, Collin Lau was appointed director of Bei Capital Partners in June.
Ex-China AMC fund manager registers PE vehicle in Qianhai
A former leading manager at China Asset Management (CAMC), one of the country’s largest domestic mutual fund providers, has registered a private equity firm in Qianhai, the development zone in Shenzhen through which renminbi-denominated funds will be...
China Renaissance targets $750m for fund III
China Renaissance Capital Investment (CRCI) is targeting $750 million for its third fund. China Harvest Fund III will make growth capital investments in Chinese companies, taking equity stakes of up to $75 million.
Li Ning founder sells 25% in TPG-backed sportswear retailer
Chinese former Olympic gymnast Li Ning has agreed to sell a 25% stake in the sportswear company that bears his name – and counts TPG Capital among its investors – to Viva China, a Hong Kong-listed talent management agency. A company wholly owned by...
Start-up investment: Fallen angels
The scarcity of seed capital in most of Asia has left the region’s entrepreneurs crying out for angel investors. What’s stopping them from flooding in?
IFC to anchor Fosun Pharma’s Hong Kong IPO
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is expected to anchor Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical’s Hong Kong IPO alongside Prudential Financial. The total cornerstone commitment is $75 million out of a targeted $600...
China Private Equity restructures Australia securities platform investment
China Private Equity Investment Holdings (CPE), an AIM-listed vehicle that claims to offer European investors exposure to Chinese private equity without the limitations imposed by closed-end funds, has restructured its investment in Australian online...
PE consortium in $330m take-private bid for China's Yongye
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) and Abax Global Capital are backing a $330 million bid by the chairman of Yongye International to take private the US-listed Chinese animal and plant feed maker.
SAIF Partners to launch China hedge fund – report
China-focused private equity firm SAIF Partners is reportedly planning to launch a Greater China hedge fund, which would make it the first major Chinese PE player to attempt such a move.
CITIC Securities targets up to $1.6b for RMB fund
CITIC Securities is targeting RMB5-10 billion ($798 million to $1.6 billion) for its first private equity fund, most of which will come from Chinese institutions, including government agencies. The vehicle will buy stakes in companies involved in M&A...
Discovery Metals rejects Cathay Fortune buyout offer
Australian copper miner Discovery Metals has rejected a A$830 million ($848 million) takeover bid from Chinese private equity firm Cathay Fortune Corporation (CFC) and state-sponsored China-Africa Development Fund (CAD).
TPG-backed Li Ning loses CFO
Yik-Kay Chong, executive director and CFO of TPG Capital-backed Li Ning, is leaving the company, effective November 1. The news follows the departure of CEO Zhang Zhiyong who spent more than two decades with the Chinese sportswear retailer.