Salans has hired the co-head of Pinsent Masons' China corporate practice, Andrew Liu, to lead its new Hong Kong office.

Liu joined Salans on 1 June, along with one associate, and is temporarily working from the firm's Shanghai office.

He has spent around 10 years in Hong Kong and mainland China, focusing on M&A, securities work and private equity. Before joining Pinsents in December 2005 he was a partner at DLA Piper.

Meanwhile, Salans has also hired Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson counsel Jeff Cai as a partner to lead its China real estate practice from Hong Kong.

Salans announced its intention to open in Hong Kong last month and is currently searching for office space. The new office is likely to focus on corporate work, capital markets and international real estate.

A Beijing launch is planned for later this year while Salans also intends to add to its Shanghai arm, which currently houses five partners.

Commenting on the news, Salans' China region co-managing partner, Bernd-Uwe Stucken, said: "[The appointment of Liu] is indicative of the investment we are making to build our China practice."

Lui added: "The challenge of building a new gateway into mainland China is extremely compelling from a personal and professional standpoint."

Hong Kong-based Dale Fischer will continue as Pinsents' China corporate chief.