Linklaters has appointed a partner duo to head up its China practice, with Asia litigation head and Hong Kong managing partner Marc Harvey and Beijing head Celia Lam replacing Zili Shao in the role.

Harvey and Lam take up their four-year terms with immediate effect after Shao was appointed as Asia managing partner in April.

Both Harvey and Lam have headed their respective local offices since 2004 and will continue in these positions, with Linklaters stating that joint managing partners should help integrate client advice across Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

In addition Harvey, who was initially touted as a contender for the Asia regional managing partner post, will retain his position leading the Asia litigation practice while Lam will continue to work in the China corporate and capital markets practice.

Shao said: "The appointment of Marc and Celia underlines the firm's strategic focus on the China region. This move reinforces our position as the premium global law firm operating in China, able to advise the world's leading corporates and financial institutions on their most important and challenging cross-border transactions."

Shao was previously based in Shanghai but relocated to Hong Kong when he was named as Giles White's successor as Asian head earlier this year. Before winning the regional leadership post he led Linklaters' China practice for 10 years.  White left the firm to become group general counsel for Hong Kong conglomerate Jardine Matheson.